Blues 2022

[Daffy Jaffy]

Lay out - Lay in -

LAY BROTHERS FOLLOW IN EACH OTHER’S FOOTSTEPS — Blues Rugby

When James Lay found out his troublesome foot injury would sideline him from the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific Championship, then there seemed only one logical option. His slightly older brother Jordan has stepped in, selected by Blues head coach Leon MacDonald to join the strong group of props at the

[Tim]

Who are we looking at for XXIIIs, with and without ABs?

1st choice:

1 Hodgman
2 Eklund
3 Laulala
4 Goodhue
5 Robinson
6 R Ioane
7 Papalii
8 Sotutu

9 Christie
10 B Barrett
11 Clarke
12 Plummer
13 R Ioane
14 Telea
15 Sullivan

16 Vikena
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Tu'ungafasi
19 Darry
20 Choat
21 Nock
22 RTS/Perofeta
23 Heem/Tele'a

[Tim]

Looking at AB cover in the training squad, we will need:

1 x Loosehead Prop

Sione Ahio

2 x Tighthead Props

Josh Fusitua

1 x Openside Flanker

Cameron Church

1 x Blindside Flanker

1 x Number Eight

Lini Ekeuasi

1x Halfback

1x FIrst Five

1x Centre

[Nogusta]

@tim I heard Mike Curry been brought in for cover

[Tim]

@nogusta The guy who played a season for Ta$man?

[taniwharugby]

@tim do Akira and Rieko have another brother

[Nogusta]

@tim yea I think so. Out of Nelson College. Think hes a loosie?

[Daffy Jaffy]

@tim Info from MLR - played for Colorado -
Nationality - American Samoa
Primary Position - Blindside Flanker
Other Positions - Lock, Number Eight
DOB - 1994-03-02
Height
1.96m (6'5")
Weight
110kg (240lbs)

Bio from MLR -
Michael was born in American Samoa and moved to Samoa with his family when he was 2 years old. When he was 15, his family moved to New Zealand where he attended Nelson College from 2009-2013. From 2011-2013 he played rugby for the 1st XVs and also played age-grade rugby for Ta$man for the U16s and U18s.

After graduating from Nelson College, he played for the TAsmanU20s and made his debut for the Ta$man Mako in 2018 in the Mitre 10 Cup. In 2019 he traveled to Perth, Australia and played for the World XV side coached by Robbie Deans.

Michael also played for Moutere RFC and in 2018 was named Marlborough Express Player of the Year.

[Tim]

@nogusta Would've thought there were better options in the Blues provinces?

[Tim]

@taniwharugby oops!

[taniwharugby]

@tim Sam McNamara (been in Blues dev side) or Liam Hallam-Eames are ones from Northland, without looking at who would come from NH or Auckland!

[Cpt Kumera]

Jordan was going to play for MP but blues too good opportunity

[Daffy Jaffy]

@cpt-kumera Hard to turn down the chance to train and play with 4 All black Props. Plus I imagine his brother will still be around the squad rehabbing.

[Stargazer]

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Daffy Jaffy]

Blues draw in simple text -
The Blues draw for 2022 is (Times NZT):

Round 1, Saturday Feb 19: vs Fijian Drua, home (Eden Park, 4.35pm)

Round 2, Sunday Feb 27: vs Highlanders, Away

Round 3, Saturday Mar 5: vs Rebels, Home (Venue TBC)

Round 4, Sunday Mar 13: vs Waratahs, Away

Round 5, Sunday Mar 20: vs Crusaders, Away

Round 6, Sunday Mar 27: vs Hurricanes, home (Eden Park, 3.35pm)

Round 7, Saturday Apr 2: vs Moana Pasifika, home (Eden Park 7.05pm)

Round 8, Saturday April 9: vs Chiefs, away

Round 9: Bye

Round 10, Friday Apr 22: vs Western Force, away

Round 11, Saturday Apr 30: vs Highlanders, home (Eden Park, 7.05pm)

Round 12: Saturday 7 May: vs Chiefs, home (Eden Park, 7.05pm)

Round 13, Saturday 14 May: vs Moana Pasifika, away

Round 14, Friday 20 May: vs Reds, home (Eden Park, 7.05pm)

Round 15, Friday 27 May: vs Brumbies, away.

[Daffy Jaffy]

If as Chris suggested on the SRP 2022 thread, the All Blacks could be unavailable for the first 4 rounds, our pack will be minus 3 AB props, 3 AB loosies on top of the departed 3 locks and Gibson. We will have a very different forward pack starting the comp next year. If the back up and new forwards don't step up quickly it could be a difficult start to the comp. Lucky our early draw is not as difficult as it could be, but still at risk of poor results if our forwards struggle.
EDIT: - new info - All Blacks likely to play from round one according to Stuff, Yay!

[Stargazer]

Bryce Heem (2022) and Zarn Sullivan (2024) have extended their contract with the Blues.

EXPERIENCED AND PATHWAY PROSPECTS EXTEND STAY — Blues Rugby

One of the elder statesmen of the team and one of the youngest have extended their stay at the Blues. Bryce Heem, 32, and Zarn Sullivan, who recently turned 21, have extended their contracts at the club.