Super Rugby News

Bovidae

Hmmm...not a good look when the coach and players are pointing fingers at eachother. 
 
Also Franks was signed before Coventry was the LI coach. One of the major problems was that the squad wasn't very strong compared to other English clubs.

Dice

I'm a big fan of Coventry. Hope the Blues can pick him up to replace Glenn Moore.

KiwiMurph

Blues team named for hitout vs Northland Barbarians.
 
Blake Gibson is back.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81342959/Blues-flanker-Blake-Gibson-makes-his-return-after-three-months-on-sideline '>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81342959/Blues-flanker-Blake-Gibson-makes-his-return-after-three-months-on-sideline </a>

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="590466" data-time="1466567882">Blues team named for hitout vs Northland Barbarians. 
Blake Gibson is back. <a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81342959/Blues-flanker-Blake-Gibson-makes-his-return-after-three-months-on-sideline ">http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81342959/Blues-flanker-Blake-Gibson-makes-his-return-after-three-months-on-sideline </a></blockquote>
You made me click on a link only to see the blues have named 14 to start. Copy and paste man.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="590473" data-time="1466568782">
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You made me click on a link only to see the blues have named 14 to start. Copy and paste man.
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</blockquote>
 
I reckon, look at the time. Bones is trying to sleep.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="590473" data-time="1466568782">
<div>
You made me click on a link only to see the blues have named 14 to start. Copy and paste man.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/index.php/topic/42081-super-rugby-june-break-matches/?p=590477'>http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/index.php/topic/42081-super-rugby-june-break-matches/?p=590477</a>

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="590481" data-time="1466569480"><a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/index.php/topic/42081-super-rugby-june-break-matches/?p=590477">http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/index.php/topic/42081-super-rugby-june-break-matches/?p=590477</a></blockquote>
Do they call that irony these days?

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="590483" data-time="1466570748">
<div>
Do they call that irony these days?
</div>
</blockquote>
 
 :yes:

KiwiMurph

Blake Gibson is so good he counts for 2 players.

Stargazer

Just tweeted by Radio Sport:
@Chiefsrugby have lost another player to a season-ending injury, with lock Michael Allardice out for 3-4 months after having knee surgery.
 
Also the Magpies won't have any players left for the 2016 Mitre10 Cup season ...

taniwharugby

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503448&objectid=11661909'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503448&objectid=11661909</a>
 
Northland lock Josh Goodhue will join the Blues next year.
The 21-year-old, who stands 2m and 116kg, played for the New Zealand Under-17 team in 2012 and was part of the successful New Zealand Under-20 side that won the World Cup last year.
Goodhue hails from Kawakawa, where he turned out for the local United Kawakawa club before he and his twin brother Jack moved to Mount Albert Grammar in Auckland.
The twins were both selected for the New Zealand Under-20s, with Jack now playing for Canterbury and attending Lincoln University.
Blues coach Tana Umaga said the selection of Josh Goodhue is another signal that the organisation is clearly identifying its young prospects and working hard to retain them in the region.
"Josh has been on the radar of our high performance manager Tony Hanks for some time and I came across him with the New Zealand Under-20s last year," Umaga said.
<div style="margin:0px 0px 12px 20px;font-size:16px;color:rgb(119,119,119);font-family:Calibri, Candara, Segoe, 'Segoe UI', Optima, Arial, sans-serif;">te</div>
"He is big and athletic with a considerable future in the game. I'm sure he will develop well inside the Blues environment and be able to soak up so much from the likes of Paddy Tuipulotu, Steven Luatua and Jerome Kaino."
Umaga said he was also pleased because it signals that players from Northland do not need to leave the area to further their rugby.
- <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/'>Northern Advocate</a>

KiwiMurph

Stoked with that signing for Blues.

taniwharugby

yeah he seems a kid with a bright future and his head screwed on, he knocked back an ITM Cup contract in 2014 and then turned down a Blues one this year as he didnt feel he was ready

Tim

:good:
 
So, signed locks for next year:
 
Tuipulotu (1.98m)
Tupou (1.96m)
Goodhue (2.00m)
 
In the Blues zone we have:
 
Fatialofa (1.99m)
Scrafton (2.00m)
Cowley-Tuioti (1.96m)

KiwiMurph

TNW reportedly keen to return to Super Rugby. Blues and Chiefs are interested.
 
Edit - Imagine the Blues with Nanai, Williams and Nanai-Williams in the backline. It's a good thing Nisbo never gets players mixed up....

Canes4life

Fatialofas is locked in at the Canes. Keep your hands off.

Tim

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="591123" data-time="1466745360">
<div>
Fatialofas is locked in at the Canes. Keep your hands off.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Has he signed a contract for next year?

Canes4life

Not yet. But why would he move back to Auckland when he has finally started to show potential.

Tim

Because he played well for Auckland in the ITM Cup, and could be part of Tana Umaga's plan for the next few years?

Daffy Jaffy

From stuff.
Blues loose forward Tanerau Latimer has signed a two-year deal with French club Bayonne.
The five-test All Black will head to France for the start of the new season later this year, bringing to an end his second spell of rugby in New Zealand.
The 30-year-old has been a regular starter at openside flanker for the Blues this season and was lured back this year from Japan by Tana Umaga, where he was playing for Toshiba Brave Lupins.
However, his second stint in New Zealand has proved to be a brief one, with Bayonne confirming he's committed to them for the next two seasons.
He will join another former Blues and All Blacks player, lock Tom Donnelly, at Bayonne.
 
-- While Latimer has been solid for them, I think the Blues are well covered at 7 with Gibson, the fast improving Pryor and Jack Ram who hasn't had a look in this season but is more than capable of operating at super rugby level.

The Silver Fern

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