Blues 2025
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A punt from left field -
About 2 weeks ago Blues Insta story posted a random video of Melani Nanai scoring for the Blues off a flukey deflected kick, with the commentary saying "no-one expected that" could it have been a hint at him signing as an experienced mid-field/Wing replacement for Heem? Nanai has been playing in Canada and for Manu Samoa in the Pacific series. May be nothing in it but if it is so 'You heard it here first'.
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Blues Facebook posted this morning -
"We may or may not have 7 new players 👀"
So there may be fewer squad changes than we suspected.
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Blues squad for 2025
Props: Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Marcel Renata, Jordan Lay, Joshua Fusitu’a, PJ Sheck, Ben Ake
Hookers: Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, James Mullan
Locks: Laghlan McWhannell, Cameron Christie, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre
Loose forwards: Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Che Clark
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki
First five-eighths: Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer, Beauden Barrett
Midfielders: Xavi Taele, Corey Evans, Meihana Grindlay, Rieko Ioane
Outside backs: Zarn Sullivan, Mark Tele’a, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Payton Spencer, Reon Paul, Cole ForbesIns: Ben Ake, Cameron Christie, Che Clark, Beauden Barrett, Xavi Taele, Payton Spencer, Reon Paul
Outs: Soane Vikena, James Thompson, Akira Ioane, Rob Rush, Lucas Cashmore, Bryce Heem, Kade Banks, Caleb Tangitau -
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I haven't seen anything of Spencer. Does he warrant a spot now or is he more of a hopeful pick for the future?
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@Crazy-Horse said in Blues 2025:
I haven't seen anything of Spencer. Does he warrant a spot now or is he more of a hopeful pick for the future?
He's been injured almost all year. Had some good moments in the 2023 NPC.. but that was only 3 games
So it is slightly risky
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7 Props and only 6 loosies is a small concern. Especially with Suafoa's health concerns. I imagine Christie may get a run covering 6 occasionally and Trystan Cook is sure to be in the academy/wtg. No Tito-Harris is the other surprise. Must be returning to Sevens. Reon Paul is the biggest surprise but i have liked the small highlights I've seen of him at NPC level.. I know little about Mullen. About fifth ranked Canterbury hooker called up to Super rugby off of 2 starts and 5 bench games over 2 seasons. Someone in the know must rate him. He is only 21 so has time to develop but could be on the bench in some big games..
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@Daffy-Jaffy James Mullan has a ton of potential. Was NZ Schools hooker in 2020 but sitting behind George Bell in every Canterbury team since. I believe he also studies Broadcasting, hence a move to Auckland probably makes sense in that regard too. He is deceptively quick and is a similar mould to a Dane Coles type hooker.
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I would rather see Lam as a midfielder and have another wing option.
I know Taele has talent and is one for the future but he is physically very small and I question how much he will play next season.
I wonder if Grindlay was on a 2 year deal as he was barely sighted this year. Will need him to step up with no Heem
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@Bovidae said in Blues 2025:
@Tim said in Blues 2025:
What's the skinny on Reon Paul?
@ARHS is a fan. A midfielder who can play on the wing.
Yep, intelligent player who seems to make good metres whenever he gets the ball.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2025:
I would rather see Lam as a midfielder and have another wing option.
It's interesting that we lost two wingers (Tangitau & Banks) but didn't add another specialist
I suspect the centre pairing will be Lam/RI. So there's a question about who plays wing when Clarke or Tele'a are injured.
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A brief Reon Paul Vid -
147K views · 1.6K reactions | Maketū Meat Pie of the Week | 🥧The...
🥧The Maketū Meat Pie of the Week - Another Mr Mussel Pie moment! Our man Reon Paul at the Wellington match in Rotorua last weekend.
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@junior12 said in Blues 2025:
@Daffy-Jaffy James Mullan has a ton of potential. Was NZ Schools hooker in 2020 but sitting behind George Bell in every Canterbury team since. I believe he also studies Broadcasting, hence a move to Auckland probably makes sense in that regard too. He is deceptively quick and is a similar mould to a Dane Coles type hooker.
And has had a lot of Shoulder and calf injuries over the last 2 years he has found it hard to string 3 games together during that time.
Biggish unit I would not say he was quick,I have seen a fair bit of him. -
@Chris said in Blues 2025:
Biggish unit
He is likely to get even bigger, after hearing about how much Cotter bulked up the Blues Forwards ahead of last season. It will be interesting to see how big the likes of him, Cam Christie and Che Clark turn up in February.
