Blues 2025

[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.

[Tim]

[Tim]

Interesting line in a Paul Cully article today:

The future of the injury-prone Jona Nareki is uncertain, and it’s probably only a matter of time before the Blues come knocking for Caleb Tangitau with Mark Tele’a heading to Japan.

Any gossip? @george33 @Nogusta

https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360676844/highlanders-need-size-class-and-experience-squad-limitations-are-exposed

[SouthernMann]

@Tim said in Blues 2025:

Interesting line in a Paul Cully article today:

The future of the injury-prone Jona Nareki is uncertain, and it’s probably only a matter of time before the Blues come knocking for Caleb Tangitau with Mark Tele’a heading to Japan.

Any gossip? @george33 @Nogusta

https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360676844/highlanders-need-size-class-and-experience-squad-limitations-are-exposed

We still have him for another year. Paul Cully just has his pessimistic long lens out

[Canes4life]

@Tim said in Blues 2025:

Interesting line in a Paul Cully article today:

The future of the injury-prone Jona Nareki is uncertain, and it’s probably only a matter of time before the Blues come knocking for Caleb Tangitau with Mark Tele’a heading to Japan.

Any gossip? @george33 @Nogusta

https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360676844/highlanders-need-size-class-and-experience-squad-limitations-are-exposed

Blues won’t be the only one. Any player that’s shown the potential he has will garner plenty of interest from other clubs.

I expect he’ll stick with the Landers though.

[SouthernMann]

@Canes4life said in Blues 2025:

@Tim said in Blues 2025:

Interesting line in a Paul Cully article today:

The future of the injury-prone Jona Nareki is uncertain, and it’s probably only a matter of time before the Blues come knocking for Caleb Tangitau with Mark Tele’a heading to Japan.

Any gossip? @george33 @Nogusta

https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360676844/highlanders-need-size-class-and-experience-squad-limitations-are-exposed

Blues won’t be the only one. Any player that’s shown the potential he has will garner plenty of interest from other clubs.

I expect he’ll stick with the Landers though.

I have no expextation with him past next year. We keep him. Fucking awesome. We don't. Ah well. A bit disappointing. We can just hope.

[booboo]

@Duluth said in Blues 2025:

@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

Yeah, that's fair but point is still kind of relevant. Left at 26 because he wasn't in the frame by that stage.

[booboo]

@SouthernMann said in Blues 2025:

@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

Hmm, talking about discarding/disregarding older guys...

[SouthernMann]

@booboo said in Blues 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Blues 2025:

@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

Hmm, talking about discarding/disregarding older guys...

Also the contract that we could offer him. Likely rated behind Withy and Lasqa. At 28 he'd want to make some decent money out of his last few years in the game. Don't generally do that if you are effectively being picked as the back ups back up.

[Tim]

@booboo Yeah, hilarious comment from the Highlanders peanut gallery. He plays a lot of minutes for the Blues, and would be one of the best loose forwards in that squad. It's almost like they're the worst NZ team every year or something ...

[Landers92]

@Tim you really think he’s better than Withy? Unless he can be a solid 8 it wouldn’t make any sense. Why go from being a back up to Dalton in a good squad to going to being a back up in a worse squad? Southermann is right, it would be an odd move and one that wouldn’t really make sense from Choats point of view. Especially when you factor in the upside in Lasaqa as well.

He’s a good player and I wouldn’t be mad if he was in my team. It just wouldn’t make much sense.

[Tim]

@Landers92 They'd be pretty similar (Withy).

I suspect that he would start at 6 or 7 if he went to the Highlanders. As you mentioned, would that be a great reason to leave the Blues, where he gets regular game time and is an important squad member?

He's kind of a "lite" version of Papalii, in terms of playing style, but that's still a rather handy player.

[Daffy Jaffy]

[nzzp]

@Daffy-Jaffy he looks like he's continued to bulk up, which is great.

[Duluth]

Good to see its a relatively long commitment

I think he'll be captain soon

[george33]

@Duluth has been doing some coaching at University, while recovering.

[Duluth]

The Blues listed as injured:

Caleb Clarke (thigh)
Stephen Perofeta (leg)
Reon Paul (shoulder)
Ofa Tu’ungafasi (neck, season)
Sam Darry (shoulder, season)

Clearly an incomplete list

Perofeta injured again. Injured for the first few months.. comes back, plays well as a sub, then has a shocker as a starter. Since then he's always been mentioned as battling a niggle and has struggled to make the 23

[Landers92]

@Duluth Did Perofeta re-sign with the Blues when it was announced he signed on with Auckland?

He’s a guy that needs consistent game time if he wants to keep pushing for the black jersey, especially with Dmac extending, BBarrett playing well and Ruben Love looking likely to pass him in the pecking order if he continues to play like he is between 10/15.

[Duluth]

@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:

Did Perofeta re-sign with the Blues when it was announced he signed on with Auckland?

Don't think so. He moved to Auckland for the NPC for 'family reasons'

[Landers92]

To answer my own question. A quick google search shows he’s with the blues through 2026. The boy needs to get on the paddock