Blues 2025

[African Monkey]

So is Angus Ta’avao definitely retiring next year? Like, yes, he is over the hill a bit, but with our lack of options in the front row, would he be worth having around the squad next season?

[zedsdeadbaby]

My understanding - and this was months ago - was the expectation was this season was his last.

[African Monkey]

Looks like the tumor has reappeared for Cam Suafoa.

All the best to him, poor guy.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@African-Monkey

[Bones]

That's shithouse, poor guy.

[Canes4life]

Shit news for the guy. Hopefully he can battle on. Puts rugby into context at the end of the day.

[Landers92]

Is there a list in this thread of Blues players who are under contract and off contract for next year? Scrolled back but didn’t see one, although it’s possible I missed it.

[Tim]

@Landers92

I don't think so.

These players are known or thought to be leaving though:

Angus Ta’avao
Ricky Riccitelli
Cameron Suafoa (cancer)
Harry Plummer
Rieko Ioane (sabatical)
Mark Tele’a

Edit: Adrian Choat

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Landers92 The Blues website has the contract lengths stated at the end of each players profile page.
https://www.blues.rugby/blues-men-squad

[Tim]

Based on the player profiles (I haven't seen any contract announcements this year), these are per player contract lengths:

Angus Ta’avao - 2025

Ofa Tu’ungafasi - 2026

Marcel Renata - 2027

Jordan Lay - 2026

Joshua Fusitu’a - 2025

PJ Sheck - 2025

Ben Ake - 2027

Kurt Eklund - 2026

Ricky Riccitelli - 2025

James Mullan - 2026

Laghlan McWhannell - 2026

Cameron Christie - 2027

Patrick Tuipulotu - 2025 2028

Sam Darry - 2025 2028

Josh Beehre - 2027

Cameron Suafoa - 2025

Adrian Choat - 2025

Dalton Papali’i - 2027

Anton Segner - 2026

Hoskins Sotutu - 2026

Che Clark - 2026

Finlay Christie - 2025

Sam Nock - 2026

Taufa Funaki - 2026

Stephen Perofeta - 2026

Harry Plummer - 2025

Beauden Barrett - 2027

Rieko Ioane - 2027

Xavi Taele - 2025 2026

Corey Evans - 2026

Meihana Grindlay - 2025

Zarn Sullivan - 2026

Mark Tele’a - 2025

Caleb Clarke - 2025

AJ Lam - 2026

Payton Spencer - 2026

Reon Paul - 2025

Cole Forbes - 2026

These are the players off contract at the end of 2025:

Angus Ta’avao
Joshua Fusitu’a
PJ Sheck

Ricky Riccitelli

Patrick Tuipulotu
Sam Darry

Cameron Suafoa
Adrian Choat

Finlay Christie

Harry Plummer

Xavi Taele
Meihana Grindlay

Mark Tele’a
Caleb Clarke
Reon Paul

[Tim]

I can imagine Sheck, Grindlay, and Paul not being re-signed. Finlay Christie and Choat might have nice offers from overseas.

[Landers92]

@Tim said in Blues 2025:

Based on the player profiles (I haven't seen any contract announcements this year), these are per player contract lengths:

Angus Ta’avao - 2025

Ofa Tu’ungafasi - 2026

Marcel Renata - 2027

Jordan Lay - 2026

Joshua Fusitu’a - 2025

PJ Sheck - 2025

Ben Ake - 2027

Kurt Eklund - 2026

Ricky Riccitelli - 2025

James Mullan - 2026

Laghlan McWhannell - 2026

Cameron Christie - 2027

Patrick Tuipulotu - 2025

Sam Darry - 2025

Josh Beehre - 2027

Cameron Suafoa - 2025

Adrian Choat - 2025

Dalton Papali’i - 2027

Anton Segner - 2026

Hoskins Sotutu - 2026

Che Clark - 2026

Finlay Christie - 2025

Sam Nock - 2026

Taufa Funaki - 2026

Stephen Perofeta - 2026

Harry Plummer - 2025

Beauden Barrett - 2027

Rieko Ioane - 2027

Xavi Taele - 2025

Corey Evans - 2026

Meihana Grindlay - 2025

Zarn Sullivan - 2026

Mark Tele’a - 2025

Caleb Clarke - 2025

AJ Lam - 2026

Payton Spencer - 2026

Reon Paul - 2025

Cole Forbes - 2026

These are the players off contract at the end of 2025:

Angus Ta’avao
Joshua Fusitu’a
PJ Sheck

Ricky Riccitelli

Patrick Tuipulotu
Sam Darry

Cameron Suafoa
Adrian Choat

Finlay Christie

Harry Plummer

Xavi Taele
Meihana Grindlay

Mark Tele’a
Caleb Clarke
Reon Paul

Thanks mate.

I just ask because I’ve been told one of these guys has an offer to head south to Dunedin. Unsure who, just told a blues player. Whether it happens is anyone’s guess, especially when you consider how early it is still being the 2025 season.

Looking at that list, I’d say it’s down to Reon Paul, Meihana Grindlay and PJ Sheck. Sheck has already had a stint down there too so some familiarity. Time will tell how it unfolds.

[george33]

Xavi Taele re-signed last week for 2026.

[Daffy Jaffy]

https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/heem-retiring

[booboo]

@Daffy-Jaffy probably hit his peak just a little late.

A curse of constantly trying to build the ABs is not picking guys as they hit form in their late 20s, 30s in favour of someone who'll be around for a bit.

[African Monkey]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2025:

https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/heem-retiring

Great player. Played a big part in our recent success.

[Duluth]

@booboo said in Blues 2025:

@Daffy-Jaffy probably hit his peak just a little late.

His situation was unusual though. He went overseas and only returned around the covid time for family reasons. He was retired when Leon MacDonald offered him a spot

Blues got some some good years out of him. However NZ missed out on him from the ages of ~26 to 31

[frugby]

@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:

@Tim said in Blues 2025:

Based on the player profiles (I haven't seen any contract announcements this year), these are per player contract lengths:

Angus Ta’avao - 2025

Ofa Tu’ungafasi - 2026

Marcel Renata - 2027

Jordan Lay - 2026

Joshua Fusitu’a - 2025

PJ Sheck - 2025

Ben Ake - 2027

Kurt Eklund - 2026

Ricky Riccitelli - 2025

James Mullan - 2026

Laghlan McWhannell - 2026

Cameron Christie - 2027

Patrick Tuipulotu - 2025

Sam Darry - 2025

Josh Beehre - 2027

Cameron Suafoa - 2025

Adrian Choat - 2025

Dalton Papali’i - 2027

Anton Segner - 2026

Hoskins Sotutu - 2026

Che Clark - 2026

Finlay Christie - 2025

Sam Nock - 2026

Taufa Funaki - 2026

Stephen Perofeta - 2026

Harry Plummer - 2025

Beauden Barrett - 2027

Rieko Ioane - 2027

Xavi Taele - 2025

Corey Evans - 2026

Meihana Grindlay - 2025

Zarn Sullivan - 2026

Mark Tele’a - 2025

Caleb Clarke - 2025

AJ Lam - 2026

Payton Spencer - 2026

Reon Paul - 2025

Cole Forbes - 2026

These are the players off contract at the end of 2025:

Angus Ta’avao
Joshua Fusitu’a
PJ Sheck

Ricky Riccitelli

Patrick Tuipulotu
Sam Darry

Cameron Suafoa
Adrian Choat

Finlay Christie

Harry Plummer

Xavi Taele
Meihana Grindlay

Mark Tele’a
Caleb Clarke
Reon Paul

Thanks mate.

I just ask because I’ve been told one of these guys has an offer to head south to Dunedin. Unsure who, just told a blues player. Whether it happens is anyone’s guess, especially when you consider how early it is still being the 2025 season.

Looking at that list, I’d say it’s down to Reon Paul, Meihana Grindlay and PJ Sheck. Sheck has already had a stint down there too so some familiarity. Time will tell how it unfolds.

@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:

@Tim said in Blues 2025:

Based on the player profiles (I haven't seen any contract announcements this year), these are per player contract lengths:

Angus Ta’avao - 2025

Ofa Tu’ungafasi - 2026

Marcel Renata - 2027

Jordan Lay - 2026

Joshua Fusitu’a - 2025

PJ Sheck - 2025

Ben Ake - 2027

Kurt Eklund - 2026

Ricky Riccitelli - 2025

James Mullan - 2026

Laghlan McWhannell - 2026

Cameron Christie - 2027

Patrick Tuipulotu - 2025

Sam Darry - 2025

Josh Beehre - 2027

Cameron Suafoa - 2025

Adrian Choat - 2025

Dalton Papali’i - 2027

Anton Segner - 2026

Hoskins Sotutu - 2026

Che Clark - 2026

Finlay Christie - 2025

Sam Nock - 2026

Taufa Funaki - 2026

Stephen Perofeta - 2026

Harry Plummer - 2025

Beauden Barrett - 2027

Rieko Ioane - 2027

Xavi Taele - 2025

Corey Evans - 2026

Meihana Grindlay - 2025

Zarn Sullivan - 2026

Mark Tele’a - 2025

Caleb Clarke - 2025

AJ Lam - 2026

Payton Spencer - 2026

Reon Paul - 2025

Cole Forbes - 2026

These are the players off contract at the end of 2025:

Angus Ta’avao
Joshua Fusitu’a
PJ Sheck

Ricky Riccitelli

Patrick Tuipulotu
Sam Darry

Cameron Suafoa
Adrian Choat

Finlay Christie

Harry Plummer

Xavi Taele
Meihana Grindlay

Mark Tele’a
Caleb Clarke
Reon Paul

Thanks mate.

I just ask because I’ve been told one of these guys has an offer to head south to Dunedin. Unsure who, just told a blues player. Whether it happens is anyone’s guess, especially when you consider how early it is still being the 2025 season.

Looking at that list, I’d say it’s down to Reon Paul, Meihana Grindlay and PJ Sheck. Sheck has already had a stint down there too so some familiarity. Time will tell how it unfolds.

Only a guess, but I'd say Choat considering Michaels is probably getting the chop.

[SouthernMann]

@frugby said in Blues 2025:

@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:

@Tim said in Blues 2025:

Based on the player profiles (I haven't seen any contract announcements this year), these are per player contract lengths:

Angus Ta’avao - 2025

Ofa Tu’ungafasi - 2026

Marcel Renata - 2027

Jordan Lay - 2026

Joshua Fusitu’a - 2025

PJ Sheck - 2025

Ben Ake - 2027

Kurt Eklund - 2026

Ricky Riccitelli - 2025

James Mullan - 2026

Laghlan McWhannell - 2026

Cameron Christie - 2027

Patrick Tuipulotu - 2025

Sam Darry - 2025

Josh Beehre - 2027

Cameron Suafoa - 2025

Adrian Choat - 2025

Dalton Papali’i - 2027

Anton Segner - 2026

Hoskins Sotutu - 2026

Che Clark - 2026

Finlay Christie - 2025

Sam Nock - 2026

Taufa Funaki - 2026

Stephen Perofeta - 2026

Harry Plummer - 2025

Beauden Barrett - 2027

Rieko Ioane - 2027

Xavi Taele - 2025

Corey Evans - 2026

Meihana Grindlay - 2025

Zarn Sullivan - 2026

Mark Tele’a - 2025

Caleb Clarke - 2025

AJ Lam - 2026

Payton Spencer - 2026

Reon Paul - 2025

Cole Forbes - 2026

These are the players off contract at the end of 2025:

Angus Ta’avao
Joshua Fusitu’a
PJ Sheck

Ricky Riccitelli

Patrick Tuipulotu
Sam Darry

Cameron Suafoa
Adrian Choat

Finlay Christie

Harry Plummer

Xavi Taele
Meihana Grindlay

Mark Tele’a
Caleb Clarke
Reon Paul

Thanks mate.

I just ask because I’ve been told one of these guys has an offer to head south to Dunedin. Unsure who, just told a blues player. Whether it happens is anyone’s guess, especially when you consider how early it is still being the 2025 season.

Looking at that list, I’d say it’s down to Reon Paul, Meihana Grindlay and PJ Sheck. Sheck has already had a stint down there too so some familiarity. Time will tell how it unfolds.

@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:

@Tim said in Blues 2025:

Based on the player profiles (I haven't seen any contract announcements this year), these are per player contract lengths:

Angus Ta’avao - 2025

Ofa Tu’ungafasi - 2026

Marcel Renata - 2027

Jordan Lay - 2026

Joshua Fusitu’a - 2025

PJ Sheck - 2025

Ben Ake - 2027

Kurt Eklund - 2026

Ricky Riccitelli - 2025

James Mullan - 2026

Laghlan McWhannell - 2026

Cameron Christie - 2027

Patrick Tuipulotu - 2025

Sam Darry - 2025

Josh Beehre - 2027

Cameron Suafoa - 2025

Adrian Choat - 2025

Dalton Papali’i - 2027

Anton Segner - 2026

Hoskins Sotutu - 2026

Che Clark - 2026

Finlay Christie - 2025

Sam Nock - 2026

Taufa Funaki - 2026

Stephen Perofeta - 2026

Harry Plummer - 2025

Beauden Barrett - 2027

Rieko Ioane - 2027

Xavi Taele - 2025

Corey Evans - 2026

Meihana Grindlay - 2025

Zarn Sullivan - 2026

Mark Tele’a - 2025

Caleb Clarke - 2025

AJ Lam - 2026

Payton Spencer - 2026

Reon Paul - 2025

Cole Forbes - 2026

These are the players off contract at the end of 2025:

Angus Ta’avao
Joshua Fusitu’a
PJ Sheck

Ricky Riccitelli

Patrick Tuipulotu
Sam Darry

Cameron Suafoa
Adrian Choat

Finlay Christie

Harry Plummer

Xavi Taele
Meihana Grindlay

Mark Tele’a
Caleb Clarke
Reon Paul

Thanks mate.

I just ask because I’ve been told one of these guys has an offer to head south to Dunedin. Unsure who, just told a blues player. Whether it happens is anyone’s guess, especially when you consider how early it is still being the 2025 season.

Looking at that list, I’d say it’s down to Reon Paul, Meihana Grindlay and PJ Sheck. Sheck has already had a stint down there too so some familiarity. Time will tell how it unfolds.

Only a guess, but I'd say Choat considering Michaels is probably getting the chop.

That'd be a weird pick up. Especially considering he would be a no3 seven at the Landers, and is older than the other two. My money is on Grindlay

[Tim]

For next year we know we are looking for the following replacements:

Tighthead prop (Angus Ta’avao)
Hooker (Ricky Riccitelli)
First Five/Midfield (Harry Plummer)
Center (Rieko Ioane)
Wing (Mark Tele’a)

We are likely to need a loose forward too (Cameron Suafoa).

We may lose to overseas another couple of players:

Adrian Choat (loose forward)
Finlay Christie (halfback)

And may not re-sign a few:

PJ Sheck (tighthead prop)
Meihana Grindlay (midfield)
Reon Paul (wing/midfield)

Loosing two tighthead props might save Sheck though. Same with Paul.

Jordan Lay is frequently injured, so it will be interesting to see what happens with him. Three other loosehead props are already in the squad though.

Potentially we are looking for:

2x Tighthead prop
Hooker
2x Loose forward
Halfback
First five
2x Midfield
2x Wing

The following players have been elevated into the squad this season:

Mason Tupaea (loosehead prop)
Hamdahn Tuipulotu (tighthead prop)
Bryn Gordon (hooker)
Nathaniel Pole (hooker)
Trystin Cook (lock/six)

Who are some of the other young or fringe players that might be signed?

Rumours about Slater and Arscott have been posted on here.