Blues 2024

African Monkey

@frugby Journeyman doesn't suggest the player was poor, just suggests that they weren't really improving the squad. Who was I being harsh on? I think I was pretty fair on all of them. Yeah, our coaching selections were poor and there were problems off the field which contributed to the problems on the field, but all it is at the end of the day was us going through a tough period. Everyone except the Crusaders (apart from 1996) have had them.

The Highlanders are going through it currently, but it won't last forever.

Tim

nostrildamus

@African-Monkey said in Blues 2024:

@frugby Journeyman doesn't suggest the player was poor, just suggests that they weren't really improving the squad.

Thanks for that, I assumed it really meant they didn't have X-factor, stand-out qualities for improvement, or worth taking to the next level but could play ok at this level. Which isn't your definition but maybe that is what most mean on here? Then I might need another term.

African Monkey

@nostrildamus Yeah yeah haha, you know what I was getting at, I was replying to the fact that I suggested that players were at a poor standard which I didn't say.

Chris

@george33
The blues need a few new backs ? You heard anything about Blues signings ?

george33

Nothing new think.they pretty well sorted, as been mentioned but new coaching group mite throw some 1 up out of Europe

george33

No only ones that have been announced on fern, I'll message Patrick C if he can say anything,but would rather wait only 7 days away, but blues will in my opinion have a squad that can match the best

george33

Outside back /midfield and Prop 2 be announced

frugby

@george33 You'd have to think that midfielder would be Grindlay?

Blunders

@frugby we hope so, he looked decent and probably an upgrade on Tele'a

george33

@frugby could b ,need replacement for RTS may come from the development squad,and the props have already been mentioned,wonder if there is a spot for Spencer

Bovidae

It will be interesting to see how many of the sevens players make a SR squad in an Olympic year.

george33

Will b big call on Che Clarke , if he goes 7s or Blues ,

george33

My 37 with a prop to be added
Fullback Stephen Perofeta, Payton Spencer
WINGS Mark Talea, Caleb Clarke,AJ Lam, Xavier Tito Harris
MIDFIELD Reiko Ioane,Bryce Heem,Corey Evans, Harry Plummer,Taniela Tel'ea
FIRST FIVE Zarn Sullivan,Jock McKenzie
HALFBACK Finlay Christie,Taufa Funaki,Sam Nick
LOOSE FORWARD Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalili, Akira Ioane,Rob Rush,Che Clark,Anton Segner,Cameron Suafua, Adrian Choat
LOCKS Patrick Tuipolotu,Sam Darry, Edward Annandale,Lachlan McWhannell,Josh Beehre
PROPS Ofa, Marcel Renata,Josh Fusitua,PJ Sheck,Angus Ta'avao
HOOKER Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, Soane Vikena

Bovidae

@george33 Isn't Caleb Tangitau already part of the squad?

george33

He's doin 7s not super

george33

That may well be the way Spencer,Tito Harris and Clark go as well but I've added them as only 1 I've herd of is Tangitau

Crazy Horse

@george33 said in Blues 2024:

My 37 with a prop to be added
Fullback Stephen Perofeta, Payton Spencer
WINGS Mark Talea, Caleb Clarke,AJ Lam, Xavier Tito Harris
MIDFIELD Reiko Ioane,Bryce Heem,Corey Evans, Harry Plummer,Taniela Tel'ea
FIRST FIVE Zarn Sullivan,Jock McKenzie
HALFBACK Finlay Christie,Taufa Funaki,Sam Nick
LOOSE FORWARD Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalili, Akira Ioane,Rob Rush,Che Clark,Anton Segner,Cameron Suafua, Adrian Choat
LOCKS Patrick Tuipolotu,Sam Darry, Edward Annandale,Lachlan McWhannell,Josh Beehre
PROPS Ofa, Marcel Renata,Josh Fusitua,PJ Sheck,Angus Ta'avao
HOOKER Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, Soane Vikena

Will the Blues really play Sullivan at 10 and Perofeta at 15? I know they have played those positions for their respective NPC team but history shows us the Blues prefer Sullivan at the back. Also, I didn't watch any NPC this year, but did Sullivan play well enough at 10? There were some conflicting views on here about his performances.

george33

I did here the Auckland coach say about Zarn playing 10 is good for the blues, but him and Perofeta will most likely share the 10 jersey

Duluth

@Crazy-Horse said in Blues 2024:

Also, I didn't watch any NPC this year, but did Sullivan play well enough at 10? There were some conflicting views on here about his performances.

He struggled. I haven’t seen anyone say he went well

Mostly it’s his option taking that needs work. Very little variety in his kicking game, almost everything was long. Also struggled at times with the lack of space at 10

Played better when Plummer was at 12 and took some of the kicking duties away from him (Plummer was injured most of the season)

The Silver Fern

Blues 2024