Blues 2025

[antipodean]

@KiwiMurph They've been doing an outstanding job. Easily the best social media in SR IMO.

[KiwiMurph]

[Daffy Jaffy]

U18’S SET FOR TASTE OF BLUES CAMP & CULTURE — Blues Rugby

The Blues have named a 54-strong Under 18 Development Squad to attend a training camp in July. The camp will be held in Auckland at Mount Albert Grammar School from Sunday July 14 to Thursday July 18 and provide an opportunity to expose the next generation to the Blues environment. The idea behind

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Tim]

EDIT: Oops, didn't see the Taufa Funaki announcement on Instagram.

Meanwhile, at the Blues, the club have re-signed two of their strongest performers in 2024, inking a two-year extension with 23-year-old halfback Taufa Funaki and a three-year extension with 30-year-old Maori All Blacks prop Marcel Renata.

Salesi Rayasi departs Hurricanes as Blues and Chiefs make key re-signings

As the dust settles on the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, it's becoming clearer what 2025 has in store, and where the opportunities lie.

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Tim]

I'll be happy next year if we use Barrett as a super-sub to close out games.

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Kirwan]

Lol, pleased we kept him, imagine there were lots of offers elsewhere.

[Duluth]

Great to see him commit to the team

I'd bet at least 3 other sides would've chased his signature

There's going to be some very good players miss out on the 23 when everyone is fit

[nzzp]

5 years ago Zarn and Renata (amongst others) would have gone. Stable core of people who want to play is important.
Now we just need Akira V2.0

[george33]

Caleb Clarke re-signed 2025

[Duluth]

PAPALI’I COMMITS TO BLUES FUTURE — Blues Rugby

Loose forward Dalton Papali’i has recommitted to the Blues and New Zealand Rugby through to the end of 2027. The 26-year-old has played 34 Tests since making his All Blacks debut as a 21-year-old against Japan in 2018 and his new deal will take him through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

[Daffy Jaffy]

[nzzp]

classic - Uncle Heem.

[Daffy Jaffy]

[nzzp]

@Daffy-Jaffy that's interesting! I thought he'd ply his trade offshore as he hasn't really kicked on. Good news though, having decent backups is really important. Hope he steps up and shines.

[Nogusta]

So now I'm hearing Rieko won't be having a sabbatical next year and will be with the Blues 2025.

[Duluth]

@nzzp said in Blues 2025:

@Daffy-Jaffy that's interesting! I thought he'd ply his trade offshore as he hasn't really kicked on. Good news though, having decent backups is really important. Hope he steps up and shines.

Yeah when @taniwharugby mentioned this was likely earlier in the thread I was surprised

He seems third in the rankings and it was only a couple of years ago he was trying to get an early release. He'll be 30 when this contract ends.. maybe he's just not interested in a stint overseas?

All three halfbacks are back next year

[gt12]

@Nogusta

Any word on reasons?

He will face selection pressure and a year away would easily see him lose a starting shirt, possibly putting him out of the 23 altogether.