Blues 2024
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The Blues have also retained more than 90% of their players for next year, and Cotter has brought in Jason O'Halloran, who worked under him with Scotland, to take care of the attack. Paul Tito, Craig McGrath and Daniel Halangahu will be retained as assistants, while Tom Coventry and Tana Umaga are still discussing their futures.
It's an ongoing discussion with them [Coventry and Umaga] about what their roles and responsibilities are, and we have got to allow Vern to do his thing, get settled in and have his discussions,'' Blues chief executive Andrew Hore said. "And allow him to pick his team going forward.''
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In an interview on SENZ yesterday Cotter said that they only have 3 roster positions to fill, an Outside Back, a Midfielder and a Forward , but did not say which forward position.
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"I was born in Devonport, so it feels legitimate," said Cotter. "I spend the first five years of my life on Motuihe Island on the Hauraki Gulf."Weird place to live, so I did a quick google
His family ran a farm there in early 60's. Sounds like the Navy just moved to Devonport around that time
motuihe.org.nz/about-the-island/heritage/farming-plus-kiosk-operators/
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Tana Umaga named as new Moana Pasifika coach
The former All Black's appointment is a promotion after two seasons as an assistant to Aaron Mauger with the Moana side.
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Interview with Cotter from a couple of days ago
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2024:
In an interview on SENZ yesterday Cotter said that they only have 3 roster positions to fill, an Outside Back, a Midfielder and a Forward , but did not say which forward position.
Forward would be either a loosie or prop... that in itself probably depends whether they have got Mafileo over the line.
My gut instinct is they are probably after short-term players for the outside back and loosie spot as place-holders for Clark and Tangitau who will be with the 7s?
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@Duluth The other thing I like about this group is their ages.
EA - 22
SD - 23
LM - 24
CS - 25
If they all stay and develop well it ensures a solid locking group for sometime. -
Some pressure on Darry too. He had a couple of good games when he returned from injury but then reverted to being a little soft in contact
That's without knowing how good Annandale is. If he has a strong NPC, Darry could be ranked 5th out of the locks
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@Bovidae Unfortunately no contract info in the very brief announcement:
WELCOME LAGHLAN McWHANNELL — Blues Rugby
The Blues’ have a new recruit for 2024 with Laghlan McWhannell joining the Blues whānau. McWhannell is a 1.98m, 114kg lock who joins us from the Chiefs. He is a former New Zealand Under 20s representative and will add depth to our locking stocks for the 2024 season. We look forward to introducing
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Good signing. Hopefully we’ll see more of Suafoa in the backrow.
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@TheMojoman I'd like to see a Suafoa, Papalii, Ioane combination (Ioane at 8 ) for some games.
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No truth to rumours that Akira would be moving elsewhere?
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@TheMojoman Think it was mentioned that his agent was looking, but he decided to stay in Auckland. I think he has a partner who plays netball in the South Island.
