Blues 2023

[Tim]

@Chris Pretty sure he said he is retiring from Super Rugby?

Not convinced by the Auckland locks so far. Might be a young player who comes in.

[Chris]

@Tim said in Blues 2023:

@Chris Pretty sure he said he is retiring from Super Rugby?

Not convinced by the Auckland locks so far. Might be a young player who comes in.

Yeah I heard he is done playing SR.

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Blues 2023:

Not convinced by the Auckland locks so far. Might be a young player who comes in.

I don't think there's any reason to pick Dalzell or Lane. They both look like their ceiling is NPC

Blues u20's locks were:
James Brown (Auckland)
Allan Craig (Northland)
Josh Beehre (Auckland)

Beehre and Craig have both had starts in the NPC

[Chris]

@Duluth said in Blues 2023:

Josh Beehre (Auckland)

I like the look of this young player.

[Steven Harris]

@taniwharugby Wish Northland had picked Kali Vaipula given Josh Goodhue was heading to Jaoan ..has genuine international size and is an athlete but given the stocks at lock were healthy in the squad i can understand why he was not picked

[African Monkey]

@Chris Wish he'd see more gametime for Auckland ahead of Vest.

[Chris]

@African-Monkey said in Blues 2023:

@Chris Wish he'd see more gametime for Auckland ahead of Vest.

Weird that decision for Best and Pugh to be bought over from Aussie.
With a lot of young talent in Auckland.

[Duluth]

@Chris

Alama likes making a few weird selections. Hopefully it's his last year

[African Monkey]

@Chris And it's annoying as I stated a while ago especially at lock, that it also affects our locking stocks for the Blues, hence why we end up signing journeymen to fill in the gaps.

Auckland especially have been pathetic bringing through locks.

[taniwharugby]

@Chris there is absolutely no excuse for Auckland to bring in anyone form outside Club Rugby who isnt already an established NPC/Age Group Rep/Super player...the stuff I read about/see online and listening to @Steven-Harris who is out and about every week covering club footy, the talent running around Auckland is insane! Which is probably part of the problem, IDing those that might make that step up and beyond!

[Duluth]

Young Auckland prop joining the squad. I presume he's filling the gap that Karl Tu'inukuafe left

[KiwiMurph]

@Duluth Nice. Was hoping he'd get a full gig.

[Higgins]

@Duluth God he looks super young, how old is he?

[Stargazer]

@Higgins He's 21 years old.

[Higgins]

@Stargazer Obviously an old photo then, unless he was a 4th Year 7th Former!

[Tim]

With Fusitua signed, and Tuipulotu returning, they may only need a hooker now (would rather not use Riccitelli)?

A young loose forward might force their way in? A tighthead to replace Renata? Maybe a halback or wing?

[Chris]

@Tim said in Blues 2023:

With Fusitua signed, and Tuipulotu returning, they may only need a hooker now (would rather not use Riccitelli)?

A young loose forward might force their way in? A tighthead to replace Renata? Maybe a halback or wing?

Or another TH if Laulau goes to France.

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Blues 2023:

With Fusitua signed, and Tuipulotu returning, they may only need a hooker now (would rather not use Riccitelli)?

A young loose forward might force their way in? A tighthead to replace Renata? Maybe a halback or wing?

I think Nock was on his last year of his deal. He tried to get an early release, so I suspect he’ll go somewhere else

It might be Milo-Harris to replace him. An improvement IMO

[Tim]

@Duluth What about Judd? Going ok for Harbour?

[Tim]

@Chris That rumour is for after the 2023 Super Rugby season.