Blues 2024
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Good news for nz rugby with Mo'unga and Beauden (still to be 100% confirmed?) heading offshore.
He should have clear air for the Blues 10 jersey next season.
I'm a bit miffed why he doesn't play 10 more for the Naki (or the Blues for that matter) - an example of the fragmented nature of the NZ system - probably the 2nd best 10 in NZ going into next season and he's played very little 10 this year for either Blues or Naki.
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@KiwiMurph Naki are bloody spoilt for choices with both Jacomb who has been super impressive and Jason Potroz has been the perfect foil off the bench
I do say all this begrudgingly. -
@Steven-Harris I understand that. But from a NZ rugby point of view Potroz won't even play Super and Jacomb will likely get very little to no game time as a newbie. Meanwhile a capped AB 10 who will be second in line on paper in the country next season hasn't been playing 10.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2024:
Excellent
Feels a make or break year for Akira with Cotter at the Blues and Razor at the ABs combined with the likes of Frizell and Ardie not being around for the ABs
It would be hilarious if Akira became a mainstay under Razor.
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Akira Ioane won't play for the ABs ever again... Jase Ryan I think just about gets full say on his forward pack, and he turfed out Ioane this year, and with Frizell the only one departing, I don't see where the gap is. Will be behind Blackadder, Finau and quite possibly some new young talent.
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@frugby Ioane can play 8 as well and there's potentially a gap at 8 next year with Ardie overseas (though potentially not as noted above)
Also worth noting Akira was named in the ABXV that Ryan selected so seems a tad strong to say never play for ABs again.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2024:
@frugby Ioane can play 8 as well and there's potentially a gap at 8 next year with Ardie overseas (though potentially not as noted above)
I'd like to see him move back to 8 as well, uses his strengths well.
And it's up to Akira to perform at Super Rugby (again), if Ryan can't change his mind about players then he's a terrible coach. Already can see the whiff of blinkered Crusader biased selections so far with him.
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@KiwiMurph I agree with @frugby, A Ioane won't be an AB again. I'm surprised he stayed in New Zealand. There are plenty of talented loosies coming through that Razor will pick ahead of him I feel. Ioane had his chance and failed to deliver.
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@Canes4life You could say before this year Frizell had his chance and failed to deliver.
I don't see the need in writing people off.
Yes there's a lot of competition but there's also a lot of uncertainty in a lot of the contenders.
Can Grace stay fit, can Blackadder stay fit, will Finau suffer second season syndrome, can the Canes loosies thrive under a new coach etc etc you get the idea
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2024:
@frugby Ioane can play 8 as well and there's potentially a gap at 8 next year with Ardie overseas (though potentially not as noted above)
Also worth noting Akira was named in the ABXV that Ryan selected so seems a tad strong to say never play for ABs again.
They have to pick someone, I don't think A Ioane is the future. If Ryan gets his way, Frizell will be back in a year, but I also think they are likely to give some other younger guys a look. I don't think there is any future in picking him.
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@Canes4life We will c signing good on him staying under Vern ,and won't b any 1 from Canes anyway
