Blues 2024

[Dan54]

I with you @Nepia , it's the captaincy. When Barrett was named at Crusaders, wasn't a big deal, and same when Taylor got the gig. By geez there is a lot of reading stuff inton little things, must be summer!

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Bovidae said in Blues 2024:

You would think that one of the young NH locks (Cook, Christie) would be in line for a NDC spot.

I think these screen shots may be them both training with the team this week -

[Tim]

Sounds like Halangahu might be going to the Wallabies. Will the Blues need to replace him?

(from The Roar)

Daniel Halangahu, the highly respected assistant coach at the Blues who played alongside RA boss Waugh at the Waratahs, could also be someone on RA’s radar.

[antipodean]

@Tim said in Blues 2024:

Sounds like Halangahu might be going to the Wallabies. Will the Blues need to replace him?

(from The Roar)

Daniel Halangahu, the highly respected assistant coach at the Blues who played alongside RA boss Waugh at the Waratahs, could also be someone on RA’s radar.

Given their play, I always thought the Blues would be better off without him. If he's going to the Wallabies, this could be a win-win...

[Tim]

Clarke down from 110 to 102 kg.

Caleb Clarke drops eight kilos ahead of 2024 season

After a breakout season in 2020, Caleb Clarke has struggled to hit the peak of his powers that many expected of the now 24-year-old.

[African Monkey]

Can't believe he's only 24 still.

[Duluth]

It'll be interesting to see if he stops having issues with his calf muscles now

[frugby]

Really hope this is a positive mood. Is this the weight he was when he burst onto the scene? Feel like he has looked a little bigger the past couple of years.

[Kirwan]

Love this jersey

[Mr Fish]

When is it available? Thought it was going to be from Jan 1 but haven't seen it advertised anywhere.

[Tim]

@Mr-Fish

Classic Mens Blues Heritage Jersey

[Canes4life]

@Tim anyone know if there will be heritage jerseys for other teams? The Blues one is slick.

[Yeetyaah]

@Canes4life from what I've heard there will be, they just weren't ready when the rest were.

[KiwiMurph]

@Kirwan my jersey arrived a week or so back here in Aus. Fits really well.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Tour squad -
All Blacks on deck. Bryce Heem is the only full squad member not there, replaced by Leo Gordon.

[Daffy Jaffy]

From Suntory's website -

CROSS-BORDER RUGBY 2024 vs BLUES(NZ)

Starting 15:

1
MORIKAWA YUKIO
2
GO KIENORI
3
BRADLEY KUHN
4
SIONE LAVEMAI
5
HARRY HOCKINGS
6
SAM JEFFRIES
7
OKETANI SOTA
8
TAMATI IOANE
9
SAITO NAOTO
10
NICOLAS SANCHEZ
11
EMI SHOTA
12
NAKANO SHOGO
13
OZAKI TAIGA
14
NIGUMA HIDETO
15
MATSUSHIMA KOTARO

Reserves:

16
MIYAZAKI TATSUYA
17
KOBAYASHI KENTA
18
OGA SOSHI
19
TSUJI TAKAYASU
20
SHIMOKAWA KANJI
21
NAGARE YUTAKA
22
TAKAMOTO MIKIYA
23
MORIYA KEISUKE
24
IINO KOJI
25
TREVOR HOSEA
26
HASHIMOTO RYUGA
27
ISAIAH PUNIVAI
28
KAWASE RYOSUKE

[Duluth]

'What the heck is going on?’: How Ireland's style helped young Taranaki centre to a Blues contract

Meihana Grindley thrived with his hard running, regular offloads, and solid tackling earning him a Super Rugby contract with the Blues.

[Chris]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350168322/blues-dealt-patrick-tuipulotu-injury-blow

Broken Jaw

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Chris Sad for Patty. They say 8 to10 weeks. So likely back for round 7 or 9 (8 is a bye).

[SouthernMann]

Step up caretaker Dalton