Blues 2024
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@george33 Yeah I am ok with him in the squad, just that Beehre's game is a bit ahead of his right now. Cotter will likely pull that potential out of him. I just hope we keep Beehre as well or we will spend the next few seasons playing against him. With Patty T. likely to head offshore next season we need big young locks coming through.
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@Daffy-Jaffy think patty is signed up until end of 2025
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@Daffy-Jaffy yea that was a case of lost in translation. He'd only signed with Auckland.
Blues didn't see enough from him to offer anything solid.
Highlanders are a potential landing spot for him. -
Jordan with blues
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@Cpt-Kumera Jordan Who?
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@Cpt-Kumera Jordan Lay
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Confirming the Ta'avao signing -
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The Chiefs released Ta'avao on compassionate grounds.
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Hopefully others are starting ahead of him. Good leader within the squad though
Coaches are really putting a premium on experience aren't they? (see Crotty and Halfpenny down south)
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Stargazer has been busy on this wiki page:
22 officially named and most of the rest seem obvious. That's not a surprise, as Cotter said there was only a few spots left to sort out before NPC started
Any names you want to see tomorrow?
For me it's mostly signing up some quality younger players. Guys that may not see much time this year. Beehre at lock, Spencer at fullback and some new blood in the midfield
I assume Perofeta and Sullivan will start most games (not sure which way around). However there's not much fullback cover if one of them gets injured (Evans?) so Spencer would be useful
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@Duluth Ohallaran has brought Cole Forbes over with him apparently. Grindlay definitely at Blues as well.
Tangitau mightve changed his mind about 7s and will stay with 15s.
Beehre also confirmed full-time squad.
Annandale will do the preseason with the Blues. -
Happy with all those Nogusta calls, especially keeping Beehre. In his 3 seasons with Glasgow Cole Forbes played roughly an equal number of games at 11, 14 and 15, so useful utility value. He actually played 4 early games for BOP this season before blowing his hamstring scoring the second of his two tries. He seems to like to hit the line hard from fullback so I can see how he might suit O'Halloran's attacking style. A bit annoyed about apparently losing local boy Sione Ahio to the Chiefs when we likely bring in unproven PJ Sheck from Wellington. Ahio is going to be international quality down the line imo (You heard it here first). So Sheck better prove up to it. We produce lots of good props but also lose a lot (come home Tamaiti). They better keep young Ben Ake in the system to eventually replace Ofa! I wonder if Tito-Harris will replace Tangitau in the sevens squad?
Finally I am keen to see if one of Jock McKenzie or Lucas Cashmore is named tomorrow. It may depend on whether they see Plummer as only a midfielder now.
Edit: Plus getting Grindley is a bonus. Other teams must have also been after him.
List of 2023–24 Super Rugby transfers (New Zealand) - Wikipedia
