Blues 2025
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@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2025:
There’s some other possible movement from Waikato but can’t say at this time
Been thinking about the above comment from Steven Harris and decided to have a speculate by cross-checking potential super quality Waikato players with likely positions available in the Blues squad. I came up with 3 names -
(Putting aside the Tupaea brothers rumor) these are my possible guesses -
Xavier Saifoloi - to replace Rush at blindside. An Auckland boy, only 21 and a big unit who is Cotters type of ball carrying forward.
Or Andrew Smith - hugely impressive young blindside from the NZ U20's.
Tepaea Cook-Savage - utility value - 15, wing, 10. Noticeably missing from the NZ sevens squad that played a warmup tournament this weekend.
I would be happy to have any of them in the squad. All have good potential. If any of these come off just call us Chiefs North from now on! -
@Daffy-Jaffy would love to share but because there are some current negotiations I have been told to hold off until they are confirmed
There’s definitely a couple of current Waikato players who are off contract whom are looking for other avenues much will depend on what Reiko Ioane does in terms of a sabbatical .. -
Tepaea Cook-Savage said his body was just holding together after the Taranaki QF game so I wouldn't make the assumption that just because he wasn't involved at the sevens in Te Puke means he isn't in the NZ sevens squad. I'm sure he'd like to play SR, and is a Northlander.
I'd be more pissed if locals leave Waikato than the Chiefs.
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@Nepia said in Blues 2025:
@george33 said in Blues 2025:
Ivan Cleary with Vern Cotter at Blues HQ today.
Comp winning coaches catching up and sharing ideas - is there any official media about it?
Tax write off for Cleary?
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Preseason game v Crusaders -
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@Duluth said in Blues 2025:
a few posts about it here:
https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/post/1000349thanks - missed that during the day.
I'm still disappointed.
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@Machpants said in Blues 2025:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2025:
Preseason game v Crusaders -
It's in a crop field?
Bold strategy
If you build it they will come.
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This upcoming squad announcement has much more intrigue and unknowns than I expected it would after a successful last season.
Take the confirmed departures -
Tangitau, Vikena, Banks, Akira Ioane.
and the strongly rumored ones -
Perofeta, Riccitelli, Rush, Heem (injury enforced retirement?) Reiko Ioane (sabbatical?).
then other players off contract that have not yet been announced as re-signed -
Laghlan McWhannell
PJ Sheck
James Thompson
Lucas Cashmore
Meihana Grindlay
Jordan LayWhile rumors may not be true and some of the last group could still be re-signed, in total there are potentially up to 15 possible changes including the 3 new signings announced so far -
B. Barrett, Peyton Spencer, Che Clarke.
Tuesday should be interesting.
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From Blues Facebook -
Champs go last
We’ll be the last team to drop our Super Rugby Pacific squad
Tuesday 3pm, mark your calendars -
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2025:
From Blues Facebook -
Champs go last
We’ll be the last team to drop our Super Rugby Pacific squad
Tuesday 3pm, mark your calendarsGot to say I'm feeling a bit pessimistic. Seems like the squad is going to be ravaged.