Blues 2025

[nzzp]

@Tim @taniwharugby looks like I'm the one spreading this misinformation online. Google tells me I stuffed this up back in 2018 as well! Now I feel old.

[Steven Harris]

@African-Monkey interstingly enough Stephen Bates was at the Waitemata v Eden game on Saturday ,Sione Ahio came on in the 2nd half played very well

[taniwharugby]

@Tim I think it may have been Fritz Lee that Saili went through school years with and were competing for a Blues spot with?

[george33]

No Dalton or Caleb once again,

[nzzp]

@African-Monkey said in Blues 2025:

@nzzp said in Blues 2025:

@mikedogz I thought he was at Rosehill college, played well and Auckland had to choose between him and Peter Saili to invest in and contract.

Without hindsight you can see why Saili got preferred, he had amazing physical gifts

Ironic as Peter Saili was heavily chased by the Crusaders after he finished school too.

His physical gifts were incredible.

[African Monkey]

@nzzp said in Blues 2025:

@African-Monkey said in Blues 2025:

@nzzp said in Blues 2025:

@mikedogz I thought he was at Rosehill college, played well and Auckland had to choose between him and Peter Saili to invest in and contract.

Without hindsight you can see why Saili got preferred, he had amazing physical gifts

Ironic as Peter Saili was heavily chased by the Crusaders after he finished school too.

His physical gifts were incredible.

Sadly his hands always let him down.

[george33]

Mark Talea suspension 3 weeks., be some interesting selections out wide, maybe move AJ to wing, and bring in Xavi Taele to 12, with Forbes staying on other wing.

[Duluth]

@george33 said in Blues 2025:

Mark Talea suspension 3 weeks., be some interesting selections out wide, maybe move AJ to wing, and bring in Xavi Taele to 12, with Forbes staying on other wing.

Hopefully it makes room for Spencer in the 23.

I'd like him to start at 15. Lets have a proper look at him

[Bovidae]

I think they said on TV3 last night that Lam was also out.

Put Che Clark on the wing.

[george33]

Xavi Taele has signed on until 2026

[frugby]

Have heard the hooker merry-go-round continues next year, with Bradley Slater heading to the Blues.

[Mr Fish]

@frugby said in Blues 2025:

Have heard the hooker merry-go-round continues next year, with Bradley Slater heading to the Blues.

Sensible for both Chiefs and Blues. Chiefs will be wanting to bring Koloise into the mix with Taukei'aho and McAlister both great starting options. Slater is a good squaddie but doesn't have the upside of the other two guys. A relatively safe pair of hands for the Blues though, who are presumably losing one of their more experienced guys.

[Tim]

@Mr-Fish Riccitelli was mentioned as leaving on here, maybe 12 months ago?

[Bovidae]

Koloise needs to get more time on the field for BOP. Throwing accuracy is still a big work-on.

[African Monkey]

@frugby said in Blues 2025:

Have heard the hooker merry-go-round continues next year, with Bradley Slater heading to the Blues.

Ugh, not a fan.

[Tim]

@African-Monkey He'd be fine as 3rd hooker, but we really need a good replacement for Riccitelli. Mullan should stay at NPC level.

[barky1]

@Bovidae
On that, are there stats available for lineouts? And throwing accuracy?

[zedsdeadbaby]

Riccitelli off and wouldn’t be sure Eklund would go around again. Not sure Slater would be the guy I’d want though

[Steven Harris]

@Tim Mullan was pushed up this way by Jason Ryan ,the All Black forward coach who rates him some young hookers just need time in the saddle has played limited minutes even at NPC level
Hopefully he gets that required game time for the Taniwha

[Bovidae]

@barky1 said in Blues 2025:

@Bovidae
On that, are there stats available for lineouts? And throwing accuracy?

No idea. I'm just using the eye test.