Blues 2023
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The Blues are expected to be without Stephen Perofeta and Hoskins Sotutu for the Melbourne match as they are due to observe their All Blacks stand down weeks, however Mark Telea (All Blacks rest) will be available and MacDonald is hopeful Bryce Heem (groin) will be available as well.
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An unusual middle of the season for the Blues, they don't play another NZ side for 6 weeks (4 games plus the bye)
Not certain victories of course but it's a good chance to tinker with selections and/or play a couple of people into form
The away game to the Drua stands out. Although teams like the Crusaders and Rebels have showed us how not to play. Also the Blues will be unlikely to rest players (more likely the following week vs Pasifika)
During this period the other NZ sides have a few clashes with each other (Chiefs 3 NZ matches, Canes 2, Crusaders 1 & Highlanders 2)
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There's a selection squeeze coming up around the locks and loosies
Darry looked physical on his return from injury. Patrick will start the big games. Suafoa and Tucker have gone well while they other two have been injured. Suddenly there's some options at lock
In the loosies Akira will return shortly
So the starting locks and loosies in the top xv?
4 Tuipulotu
5 Darry
6 Ioane
7 Papali'i
8 SotutuI think Suafoa has done enough to be the lock reserve, plus he covers 6/8
Choat or Segner for 7 reserve is a close call. Choat slightly better IMO but Segner gives better bench coverage
That would mean Tucker, Robinson, Choat, Plumtree missing out on the 23 for the big matches
I'm sure some will argue for Robinson but it's hard to see where he fits? Particularly when he's signed offshore and others are playing well. Also, it's hard to argue for his experience after the brain explosion penalty on the weekend
If/when the Blues opt for a 6/2 I'd add Robinson in
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@Duluth said in Blues 2023:
There's a selection squeeze coming up around the locks and loosies
Darry looked physical on his return from injury. Patrick will start the big games. Suafoa and Tucker have gone well while they other two have been injured. Suddenly there's some options at lock
In the loosies Akira will return shortly
So the starting locks and loosies in the top xv?
4 Tuipulotu
5 Darry
6 Ioane
7 Papali'i
8 SotutuI think Suafoa has done enough to be the lock reserve, plus he covers 6/8
Choat or Segner for 7 reserve is a close call. Choat slightly better IMO but Segner gives better bench coverage
That would mean Tucker, Robinson, Choat, Plumtree missing out on the 23 for the big matches
I'm sure some will argue for Robinson but it's hard to see where he fits? Particularly when he's signed offshore and others are playing well. Also, it's hard to argue for his experience after the brain explosion penalty on the weekend
If/when the Blues opt for a 6/2 I'd add Robinson in
Hard to disagree with any of that. Robinson has been disappointing this year, and probably not his fault just injuries catching up with him.
Suafoa has been excellent and Darry has hit the ground running. We have a good list of hard, uncompromising forwards these days.
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Not just Blues-specific but interesting to read there are other German school boys playing in NZ.
Segner grows German rugby footprint in New Zealand
Blues loose forward, German-born Anton Segner's pathfinding move to follow his dream and play rugby in New Zealand is starting to affect others.
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This is the last year of Eklund's contract. With his drop in form, I wonder if he will leave at the end of the season? Any ideas on who might replace him?
Eklund signed as fulltime replacement - The Blues
Bay of Plenty hooker Kurt Eklund has been named as fulltime replacement for the Blues for the 2021 Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa season. Eklund will replace hooker James Parsons who last week announced his retirement on medical advice. Eklund’s outstanding performances for Bay of Plenty in 2019 led to...
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@SBW1 Pretty happy with this. I not Reiko's greatest fan , but a fan regardless, but it's more about us keeping some of these players is whats pleasing me. Getting some players we can keep building a team around!
I will add although he not Blues I hoping like hell NZR get DMac's (and JB's)signature until 27 for same reason, he will be a 10 we can build a team around with a few young ones!
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@nzzp said in Blues 2023:
If he stays fit, could threaten Dougie's record of test tries. Needs 16 to equal it, and has 33 in 59 tests over 6 years. Four per year is super doable ...
Man, Doug was awesome
I will always remember that time he burned Jason Robinson at Twickenham. Sooo good.
