Blues 2016 squad
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="535699" data-time="1446012924">
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<p>Northland scrum was noticably better (not a huge achievement TBF) with Waa out there, but he struggled with fitness (both injury wise and his general fitness) </p>
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<p>Thanks for that. I'm guessing Mafileo and Prattley will be our bench props to start off with but I'm sure he'll get an opportunity sometime this year.</p> -
<p> I think that maybe Tu'ungafasi will transition to Loosehead. More opportunity to start away from Charlie and I suspect he is better there anyway from the brief times I've seen him play No1. He is too tall at 1.95 for Tighthead. Otherwise they picked 4 tight heads and 2 loose which doesn't seem logical. Has anyone heard where Hames has gone?</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="535656" data-time="1446005394"><p>
Man that would be a mediocre lineout. The opposition would be able to rely on perfect set-piece ball with Luatua and Tuipulotu jumping against them.</p></blockquote>
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Just because Tuipulotu is a big, heavy lock, that doesn't mean he is a bad line out jumper. In fact, he had a pretty decent number of steals last season. -
<p> It's not the best team we could've put together, but regardless, I'm looking forward to the new season and the development of the team. I'm not asking for the world for this season, I just want us to show progress and to be watchable again.</p>
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<p>Our defense was actually quite good for about 2/3 of last season. We were only leaking 2 tries a game up until round 11, then Kaino gets injured and our D went down the drain. We'll need him and a few others like Tuipulotu, Faumuina, Gibson and Akira to stay healthy for most of the season to keep our defense to a respectable level.</p>
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<p>Our attack was non-existent last season, but I'm optimistic that it'll be a lot better this year under Feeney and Tana. We had a lot of close losses last season, but if we had a competent attack, I think we turn a few of those close losses into wins.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="535996" data-time="1446090117">
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<p> It's not the best team we could've put together, but regardless, I'm looking forward to the new season and the development of the team. I'm not asking for the world for this season, I just want us to show progress and to be watchable again.</p>
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<p><strong>Our defense was actually quite good for about 2/3 of last season. We were only leaking 2 tries a game up until round 11, then Kaino gets injured and our D went down the drain. We'll need him and a few others like Tuipulotu, Faumuina, Gibson and Akira to stay healthy for most of the season to keep our defense to a respectable level.</strong></p>
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<p>Our attack was non-existent last season, but I'm optimistic that it'll be a lot better this year under Feeney and Tana. We had a lot of close losses last season, but if we had a competent attack, I think we turn a few of those close losses into wins.</p>
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<p>Yeah I think as mentioned earlier in the thread - getting turnover ball will help with this. We had real problems with that particularly last season, as that wasn't really O'Connor's strength, and with no Ranger etc. I think with this year's squad there's much more ability regarding generating turnovers (Gibson, Ioane, Ranger etc).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="535671" data-time="1446007294">
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<p>Quite a good article on stuff about the team too.</p>
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<p>It seems to confirm my thoughts on the Round 1 to 10 availability for the 7s guys.</p>
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<p><strong>If Ranger is eased into things early it will be interesting to see what they do with the midfield early on - Moala is much better at 12 than 13, Faiane and Little I have seen play at 12 but not so much 13 whereas Rieko is just a baby.</strong></p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/73435304/Blues-taking-no-risks-with-Rene-Rangers-Super-Rugby-return-as-recovery-from-neck-surgery-continues'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/73435304/Blues-taking-no-risks-with-Rene-Rangers-Super-Rugby-return-as-recovery-from-neck-surgery-continues</a></p>
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<div>Yeah, I'm interested to see what they do if Ranger isn't ready. Moala is definitely better at 12, but I think it might be safer to play him at 13 if Ranger is out, because I don't think we'll want rookies out of position against the Highlanders, Crusaders and Hurricanes in those early rounds.</div>
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<div>I haven't seen Little play 13, but I remember Faiane playing a game or two at 13 for the NZ U20s last year and a couple of games there for Blues development.</div> -
<p>If Ranger isnt available, you have to wonder if he will be able to at all, given he signed for NH, was going to be available, then was mid-season, then not at all, now maybe not for start of S15...?</p>
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<p>Hopefully he is fine and they are being overly cautious for ITM Cup</p> -
<p>No reason to be pessimistic about that squad. Some of the best young talent in New Zealand rugby and excitement all across the park. The halves have a season under their belts and should be a lot better in 2016. On paper, it is probably the worst of the New Zealand squads but regardless they won't be easy beats. I think the Blues will need to be patient next season and target 2017 where they should be looking at making the playoffs again.</p>
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I think the blues back row is going to be fantastic! Akira ioane and Blake Gibson I rate very highly indeed and going to be all blacks<br><br><br>
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="536010" data-time="1446093752">
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<p>If Ranger isnt available, you have to wonder if he will be able to at all, given he signed for NH, was going to be available, then was mid-season, then not at all, now maybe not for start of S15...?</p>
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<p>Hopefully he is fine and they are being overly cautious for ITM Cup</p>
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<p>Even if he comes back, I'm a little worried he won't be the same. Anthony Boric had neck surgery, went off to Japan, played a bit but said he was never the same because he was too conscious of his neck, so he just retired.</p>
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<p>I hope he'll be fine, but the delay in his return is a little worrying.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="536184" data-time="1446149468">
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<p>Even if he comes back, I'm a little worried he won't be the same. Anthony Boric had neck surgery, went off to Japan, played a bit but said he was never the same because he was too conscious of his neck, so he just retired.</p>
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<p>I hope he'll be fine, but the delay in his return is a little worrying.</p>
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<p>Sorry I missed this-has Ranger had a serious neck injury? If it is any consolation I imagine it is more critical at lock than as a back..</p> -
<p>he had surgery in France before he returned to NZ I believe, was originally signed for the whole NH campaign, then came out that he'd likely miss the first half, then didn't play at all.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="535400" data-time="1445985415">
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<p>Yeah, the only real dead weight players are Prattley, Bekhuis, and Francis. I wonder if Bowden will get on the park?</p>
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<p>Parsons</p> -
Blues preseason program:<br><br>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://theblues.co.nz/meet-the-blues-this-pre-season'>http://theblues.co.nz/meet-the-blues-this-pre-season</a> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="tubbyj" data-cid="535362" data-time="1445982007">
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<p>Maybe you will see Steven Luatua played at his U20 position of lock.</p>
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<p>Given that squad you'd think that one of Kaino or Luatua locking next to Tui would be the smart call. Probably Luatua. That would be a very dynamic back 5.</p>
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<p>Is Ranger locked in for the centres? Cause he's spent the last few years playing 11 everytime I've seen him.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gollum" data-cid="545964" data-time="1449166124"><p>
Is Ranger locked in for the centres? Cause he's spent the last few years playing 11 everytime I've seen him.</p></blockquote>
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Given the makeup of the squad id expect him to be at 13 - also give he'll be a backline leader probably more effective to do that from 13. -
<p>looks like Tana wants a Moala-Ranger mid-field, although Ranger is still not doing contact due to his neck surgery...</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/75836897/tana-umaga-confident-rene-ranger-and-george-moala-midfield-will-fire-for-blues'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/75836897/tana-umaga-confident-rene-ranger-and-george-moala-midfield-will-fire-for-blues</a></p>
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<p><img src="http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/9/5/g/8/v/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.195g4h.png/1452619689426.jpg" title="" alt="1452619689426.jpg"></p>
<p>Ranger may look as though he's been plucked from the Northland bush after an extended hunting expedition, but his return from a two-year stint in France should be a major asset.</p>
<p>The 29-year-old former All Black remains on the comeback trail from neck surgery, which kept him out of the NPC with North Harbour and continues to restrict him from resuming contact.</p>
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