Blues 2016 squad
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<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>
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<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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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11573258'><strong>Rugby: Blues' 10 jersey is West's to lose</strong></a><br><br>
Patrick McKendry<br>
2:58 PM Wednesday Jan 13, 2016<br><br>
New year, new coach, new attitude at the Blues.<br><br>
Gone is the metaphorical revolving door at the pivotal first-five position under John Kirwan's reign, and in is new coach Tana Umaga's endorsement of Ihaia West as the man with the No10 jersey to lose.<br><br>
Umaga, appointed as Kirwan's replacement in June following a disastrous season which reaped three victories and 13 defeats, has been impressed with West's recent development, and in particular the skill and mental strength he showed in kicking the last-minute conversion for Hawkes Bay to win the Championship final against Wellington last year.<br><br>
West, who turns 24 on Saturday, became the incumbent under Kirwan last year, playing 15 matches as the Blues limped to second-to-last place on the table. His rivals for the jersey were Simon Hickey and Dan Bowden, both of whom have signed with offshore clubs after being deemed by Umaga as surplus to requirements.<br><br>
While West played well in patches, he will want to play a more dominant role in 2016 and an early endorsement from Umaga should help.<br><br>
Kirwan's strategy during his troubled three seasons in charge was a constant competition for places which left some players down on confidence and unsure of their place in the side. In 2014, Hickey, West, Benji Marshall and Chris Noakes were all tried in the No10 jersey.<br><br>
This year West will be vying with the inexperienced Matt McGahon and Piers Francis for the first-five spot, and the expectation is for him to take control on and off the field.<br><br>
"Ihaia West is the guy who has been in Super Rugby for three years," Umaga said today. "I was very impressed with him in last year's ITM Cup. The growing of Ihaia [could be seen] in that kick to win the game. Some people have had issues with Ihaia's mental temperament - being able to handle pressure situations. I just thought his game had grown in the ITM Cup.<br><br>
"He is the senior 10 there so it's his job to lose at the moment... but everything's open."<br><br>
Umaga, taking time out from leading his team in their pre-season training activities, was wary about promising much in his first season - another big difference to the relentlessly positive Kirwan.<br><br><strong>West's halfback partner is likely to be Bryn Hall</strong>, who will have Billy Guyton and 19-year-old Sam Nock as his rivals for the position.<br><br>
Umaga said: "I know [Hall] didn't have such a good 2015 but I have talked to him about 2014 when he was very good and how he can get back to that."<br><br><strong>The Blues' World Cup-winning All Blacks, prop Charlie Faumuina and skipper and loose forward Jerome Kaino, have been training with the team, with Japan-based players, flanker Tanerau Latimer and utility back Male Sa'u, due to arrive in a fortnight.</strong><br><br>
Midfielder Rene Ranger, back at the Blues following his stint in France, has yet to resume contact training following neck surgery.<strong> Umaga is hopeful the 29-year-old Ranger will be available for the team's first game against the Highlanders at Eden Park on February 26.</strong></p>
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<p>So, the team is shaping up now. I'm picking that it'll be something like this:</p>
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<p> 1. O. Tu’ungafasi<br>
2. Parsons<br>
3. Faumuina<br>
4. Tuipulotu<br>
5. Bekhuis<br>
6. Kaino (c)<br>
7. Latimer<br>
8. A. Ioane<br><br>
9. Hall<br>
10. West<br>
11. Li<br>
12. Moala<br>
13. Ranger<br>
14. Nanai<br>
15. Visinia<br><br>
16. Mayhew<br>
17. MacDonald<br>
18. Mafileo<br>
19. Luatua<br>
20. Gibson/Ram<br>
21. Guyton<br>
22. S'au<br>
23. McGahan</p>
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<p>Hooker, Lock, and fullback are the major concerns.</p> -
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<p>guess thats a vote of confidence for West to go out there and give it a good crack without worrying too much about being dropped (unless he is really terrible, week after week) </p>
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<p>I guess Parsons is a lock for 2, but I've never thought much of him, thought McDonald might be a better starting option with Parsons and Moulds fighting it out for the bench.</p> -
<p>Personally, I'd have Bekhuis dead last on the depth charts for lock. I have a feeling had we not already had him signed up before Tana came, we'd of had Fatialofa here instead of him. I'd like to see a good dose of Luatua and Tuipulotu as a lock pairing in pre-season to see if it's worth running with during the season.</p>
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<p>We messed up big time by not taking Pleasants-Tate. McDonald is too small to be affective at this level. Parson had a promising start to his Blues career, but has gone backwards with every season since then.</p> -
I like McDonald at hooker,very under rated player. I think he is actually better than parsons<br><br><br>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="552529" data-time="1452805488">
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<p>We messed up big time by not taking Pleasants-Tate. McDonald is too small to be affective at this level. Parson had a promising start to his Blues career, but has gone backwards with every season since then.</p>
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<p>Which is where I am hoping Moulds will get a good shot, he is a big lad, strong, fast, has skills, just his throwing has been off more often than not, if he can sort that, he'll have the skill set to make the next step too IMO.</p>
