Blues 2024
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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. -
I see Che Clark and Payton Spencer were just named in the weekends NZ Sevens squad. That means a couple of places open up in my picks for todays Blues squad. Any guesses? How about Jed Melvin and Lucas Cashmore/Jock McKenzie.
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@Duluth said in Blues 2024:
Stargazer has been busy on this wiki page:
Ha, I can't claim responsibility for that page, I haven't edited on Wiki for over 6 years, but I do know the editor who does keep that page up-to-date.
By the looks of it, there are very few spots still to be announced by most franchises.
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@Stargazer said in Blues 2024:
@Duluth said in Blues 2024:
Stargazer has been busy on this wiki page:
Ha, I can't claim responsibility for that page, I haven't edited on Wiki for over 6 years, but I do know the editor who does keep that page up-to-date.
Really??
This has to be your user? A relative?
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2024:
Edit: Plus getting Grindley is a bonus. Other teams must have also been after him.
The Highlanders would've been able to offer him a starting spot. At the Blues he's behind the incumbent AB 13
He did play a couple of games at 12 this year. Maybe that's a possibility with the Blues?
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@Daffy-Jaffy 100% re Ahio. The boys are quietly annoyed the Blues didn't sign him. He didn't 'choose' the Chiefs over the Blues he just didn't hear from them.
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@Nogusta said in Blues 2024:
@Daffy-Jaffy 100% re Ahio. The boys are quietly annoyed the Blues didn't sign him. He didn't 'choose' the Chiefs over the Blues he just didn't hear from them.
Very pleased with that signing, he’s had media in the past talking about how good he may be… for the Blues if I recall
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Props: Joshua Fusitua, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, PJ Sheck, Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
Hookers: Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, Soane Vikena.
Locks: Josh Beehre, Sam Darry, Laghlan McWhannell, James Thompson, Patrick Tuipulotu
Loose forwards: Adrian Choat, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Rob Rush, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Cameron Suafoa.
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki.
First-fives: Stephen Perofeta, Lucas Cashmore.
Midfielders: Corey Evans, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Meihana Grindlay, Harry Plummer.
Outside backs: Kade Banks, Caleb Clarke, Cole Forbes, AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan, Caleb Tangitau, Mark Telea.
Major gains: Laghlan McWhannell (Chiefs), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Lucas Cashmore (Bay of Plenty).
Major losses: Beauden Barrett (Toyota Verblitz, Japan), Alex Hodgman (Queensland Reds), Nepo Laulala (Toulouse, France), James Lay (Moana Pasifika), Tom Robinson (Toyota Verblitz, Japan), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (NZ Warriors, NRL). -
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2024:
Pretty happy with that squad - good to see some exciting youth - excited to see what Cotter and O'Halloran can do in a post-Razor Super world.
Yeah not much complain about. Underwhelmed by Sheck and don't know enough about Thompson but generally they've recruited well.
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The Blues website suggests Thompson will be used in the loose forwards:
"is a loose forward who can do a job at lock"
"joins the Blues in a hotly contested area of the park. He will be looking to push for game time with the fellow loose forwards in the squad"
List of 2023–24 Super Rugby transfers (New Zealand) - Wikipedia
User:Ruggalicious - Wikipedia
