Blues 2021

[Tim]

@Nogusta Yeah, that's the guy.

[Nogusta]

@Tim Pretty sure Joel Cobb isnin one of those hill running pics. Also Meihana Grindley and Lini Ekuasi. Grindley and Ekuasi most likely ITCs?

[Tim]

@Duluth said in Blues 2021:

Tele'a would be my pick. The biggest question would be over his distribution.

Yeah, he seemed to really grow into the position by the end of the NPC. Strong runner, good lines.

[KiwiMurph]

The other factor in Tele'a's favour is Blues have Canes first up - which means Laumape - Laumape destroyed Plummer the last time both teams played - Tele'a should offer more in defense.

[Daffy Jaffy]

'I couldn't see myself ever going back': How New Zealand Rugby nearly lost its next big star to the NRL

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens hardly let the ink on his final high school exam dry before his professional rugby career took off, but it could have taken a drastically different turn had an NRL club had its way.

[taniwharugby]

ignoring the hyperbole headline, alot seems to be being made of this guy, I'll admit I only watched him in the M10 Cup last year, but I didnt see anything that made me go wow!

He looked handy, but nothing to what he is being talked up?

Isnt he the kid who was running the Sky cables in 2019? Cool story, and be great if he did make the cut, but heaping the pressure much?

[Canes4life]

@KiwiMurph to be fair I don't think it would of mattered who was in front of Laumape that day. He was running over everyone in that mood.

[KiwiMurph]

@taniwharugby His performance in the Shield game vs a full strength Canterbury was certainly 'wow' worthy.

There were current ABs all over the field that day and he was magnificent.

[Tim]

BTW, Niuia and Vikena are recovering from injuries, and Parsons is absent, so Eklund and Tolai are the hookers heading into the season, with Apisai as backup.

[KiwiMurph]

@Tim Niuia is quite the foodbill eh....

[Tim]

OK, who is our most dedicated stalker?

[Stargazer]

@Tim I think the Ferner closest to the venue should be nominated.

[Snowy]

@Stargazer said in Blues 2021:

@Tim I think the Ferner closest to the venue should be nominated.

That's how I got appointed the fern's serial killer. Seemed to work.

[African Monkey]

@KiwiMurph And we call out Blake Gibson for his injuries haha

[Stargazer]

[Duluth]

[Bovidae]

[nzzp]

@Duluth that's awesome, some people are getting broken by that. Repeated hill climb suffering! Better watching than doing eh.

[Duluth]

[Daffy Jaffy]

The race to replace Beauden Barrett: Who starts for the Blues in their 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa opener?

With Super Rugby Aotearoa due to kick-off in just over a month, the Blues have plenty to weigh up as they look to fill the void left by Beauden Barrett.