Blues 2024
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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
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2024:
@frugby I understand where you are coming from I just think writing him off completely is a little strong.
I'm not writing him off completely, but what I'm saying is, if you ask me one way or the other, I don't think Ioane gets a look in ever again. I think he has had his turn, and unless injuries strike, I don't see who he gets past.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2024:
@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
The difference with Frizell was, he was largely the first choice 6 once Ryan came in, and they were obviously working on something in the background. Considering it was a World Cup year, if they still liked Ioane, they would have picked him. I don't really see why you would go back to a guy who will be 29, and has never really cracked it despite having plenty of chances.
The six loose forwards for the WC (replace Frizell with Finau) get first look and then if you are picking another one on top of that, I think it would make more sense for a younger project player - Grace, Lio-Willie, Gardiner, Flanders etc.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2024:
@frugby I understand where you are coming from I just think writing him off completely is a little strong.
I agree with this. Still think it's very unlikely he'll be back in the ABs, but with multiple injuries it's possible. In 2024 anyway.
