Blues 2025
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@chchfanatic said in Blues 2025:
@Daffy-Jaffy I’m surprised Mullan has made the Blues squad. Would’ve thought they’d be better players in blues area.
I've watched him a few times for his club side Sydenham. He doesn’t stand out in club footy. He’s got a great physique on him for a hooker.
I’m not sold on the Crusaders academy.
So maybe leaving ChCh is exactly what is needed.@Steven-Harris said that Jason Ryan pushed for the move?
Maybe Jason Ryan's just trying to help out his Sydenham mates? Like he did with squeezing Brodie McAlister into the ABs?
@African-Monkey Apparently he’s very highly rated by Ryan injury curtailed his progress ,
Is a very big body with a turn of pace ,could turn out to be a very good pick up for the Blues long term -
Answering someone's question about where is Mason Tupaea? Blues Instagram said "he’ll be around!" so I guess he is in the wtg.
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@chchfanatic said in Blues 2025:
thought they’d be better players in blues area
The only local player that comes to mind that could have been a possibility is young Bryn Gordon from Harbour. The player I was hoping for was Taine Kolose. I thought he might have been a chance due to Cotter's and Ekland's BOP connections. It will be interesting to see how Mullen goes, at only 21 he has time to develop and learn but he is only an injury away from playing already. Cotter will bulk him up and be happy if he hits rucks, tackles, throws and scrums well. The choice of wtg hooker will be important if Mullen is not quite ready straight away.
@Daffy-Jaffy Bryn Gordon is with Moana Pacifica wider squad like he was last year. He didn't get many minutes behind Shilo Klein this season who is now capped by the USA too. Perhaps Klein will be in the Blues WTG but I have a feeling he has re-signed with the San Diego Legion in the MLR
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That would help to get the best players into the 23
9 Funaki/Christie
10 Plummer
11 Clarke
12 AJ/Sullivan
13 Ioane
14 Telea
15 BB/Perofeta21 Funaki/Christie
22 AJ/Sullivan
23 BB/Perofeta -
@george33 said in Blues 2025:
@Duluth possibly playing 13, with AJ at 12, ,
Indicating Rieko to take a sabbatical after all?
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Blues academy players Leo Gordon and King Maxwell are playing on loan in Japan for Blues partner club.
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Bit of depth lost at wing with Banks and Tangitau at other franchises
I'll be annoyed if Lam is forced to play wing as he's the best 12 in the squad
Who else covers wing? Spencer? Heem prob too slow for wing these days. Tito-Harris perhaps? That blonde chap from Northland looked useful
@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2025:
I'll be annoyed if Lam is forced to play wing as he's the best 12 in the squad
Surely with Heem out for the season Lam is a walk up start?
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Working with Lam and Sullivan in that position would be awesome. I think that might be Sullivan's best position.
@Kirwan said in Blues 2025:
Working with Lam and Sullivan in that position would be awesome. I think that might be Sullivan's best position.
What makes you say that? I think he's an out-and-out 15. Good under the high ball, a booming punt, strong as a secondary playmaker and looks good with a bit of space but not so much when he's under more pressure closer to the action...
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@george33 said in Blues 2025:
@Duluth possibly playing 13, with AJ at 12, ,
that would be a big midfield.
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@Kirwan said in Blues 2025:
Working with Lam and Sullivan in that position would be awesome. I think that might be Sullivan's best position.
What makes you say that? I think he's an out-and-out 15. Good under the high ball, a booming punt, strong as a secondary playmaker and looks good with a bit of space but not so much when he's under more pressure closer to the action...
@Mr-Fish said in Blues 2025:
@Kirwan said in Blues 2025:
Working with Lam and Sullivan in that position would be awesome. I think that might be Sullivan's best position.
What makes you say that? I think he's an out-and-out 15. Good under the high ball, a booming punt, strong as a secondary playmaker and looks good with a bit of space but not so much when he's under more pressure closer to the action...
With Zarn's lack of pace I can see the appeal of 12. I think his lack of pace means his ceiling is limited in NZ at 15 and how they like to select.
I'd be happy if the 12s were Lam and Zarn.
Having thought about it more I can see Forbes being the next winger chosen behind Telea and Clarke. Versatile player that would have earned a lot of goodwill with his 2024 Blues performances.
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@Kirwan said in Blues 2025:
Working with Lam and Sullivan in that position would be awesome. I think that might be Sullivan's best position.
What makes you say that? I think he's an out-and-out 15. Good under the high ball, a booming punt, strong as a secondary playmaker and looks good with a bit of space but not so much when he's under more pressure closer to the action...
@Mr-Fish said in Blues 2025:
@Kirwan said in Blues 2025:
Working with Lam and Sullivan in that position would be awesome. I think that might be Sullivan's best position.
What makes you say that? I think he's an out-and-out 15. Good under the high ball, a booming punt, strong as a secondary playmaker and looks good with a bit of space but not so much when he's under more pressure closer to the action...
Observing him at ten, or when he stands at first receiver in open play. His size makes him excellent to hit it up, he has very good distrubition skills and the long punt gives us another option to clear the ball more often. Left foot is useful in combination with Plummer as well.
As Duluth said, his slow windup makes him a chardown target at 10, a little more space or as a surprise clearing option reduces that risk.
Australian method of using all your best players on the park too.
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