Blues 2025
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So I'm wondering how we will go next year. We need to replace these guys:
Ioane, Plummer, Tele'a, Riccitelli, Suafoa, and Choat.
It's a second year in a row we will need to replace key players.
Ioane, Plummer, Tele'a, Riccitelli have been star players for us and Suafoa/Choat have been key squad members racking up plenty of game time with a lot of starts and experience. We will need to spend some dollars to get players of similar quality.
I'm not a 100% sure who is available but will throw some names out there who are or might be off contract.
Ioane/Plummer - Obviously Rieko and Plummer are massive losses. That said I thought Lam was our best centre last year so he's an option there. At the moment Lam would be the best 12 and 13 option with Ioane gone. Maybe a Taele and Lam partnership.
With Plummer and Ioane going they need two midfield options plus someone who can cover 10. It's worth keeping a hold of Grindlay if we can and developing him.
Another option might be to bring Sullivan in as a midfield option at 12 if Perofeta and Forbes are still available.
In terms of squad replacements for those two potentially Kaleb Trask, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Poihipi, Gideon Wrampling, Levi Aumua, and Thomas Umaga Jensen.
Tele'a - Off the top of my head Tito-Harris and Mathis could be options. Tele'a was key to our success and he didn't have the same impact this year which I think was telling. Would have been good if we kept anyone of Kade Banks, Caleb Tangitau or Kneepkins.
Potentially Etene Nanai Seturo, Kade Banks or Dan Sinkinson, Oli Mathis, Xavier Tito Harris.
Riccitelli - potentially the hardest to replace. A key team member of our success that has helped us develop a rock solid set piece and winning the collisions. Very high workrate. Potentials - Bradley Slater, Ioane Moananu, George Bell, Sione Vikena, Ray Tuputupu and Vernon Bason. Ideally it would be someone with a lot of experience like Slater or someone with a lot of potential like Bell or Tuputupu.
Suafoa, and Choat - Sadly I can't see Cameron Suafoa making a come back even in remission. Cameron Suafoa obviously covered 6, 8 and lock. He was a player of huge potential and seemed like a great person too.
Choat has been a reliable workhorse and servant for the Blues.
He was a key component of our more success in recent years being a good professional example for younger players.
Potential replacements - Rob Rush, Lotu Inisi, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Sione Havili Talitui, Zach Gallagher, James Thompson, Malachi Wrampling-Alec, Jimmy Tupou, Mitchell Dunshea, Oliver Haig, Xavier Saifoloi, and Ethan Blackadder
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
you can rule these options out
Ioane Moananu, already Re signed for Crusaders
George Bell I hear is about to Re sign with Crusaders.
Zach Gallagher off to Japan
Xavier Saifoloi,signed for 2026 with Crusaders
Ethan Blackadder not chance will re sign with Crusaders or go to Japan -
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
So I'm wondering how we will go next year. We need to replace these guys:
Ioane, Plummer, Tele'a, Riccitelli, Suafoa, and Choat.
It's a second year in a row we will need to replace key players.
Ioane, Plummer, Tele'a, Riccitelli have been star players for us and Suafoa/Choat have been key squad members racking up plenty of game time with a lot of starts and experience. We will need to spend some dollars to get players of similar quality.
I'm not a 100% sure who is available but will throw some names out there who are or might be off contract.
Ioane/Plummer - Obviously Rieko and Plummer are massive losses. That said I thought Lam was our best centre last year so he's an option there. At the moment Lam would be the best 12 and 13 option with Ioane gone. Maybe a Taele and Lam partnership.
With Plummer and Ioane going they need two midfield options plus someone who can cover 10. It's worth keeping a hold of Grindlay if we can and developing him.
Another option might be to bring Sullivan in as a midfield option at 12 if Perofeta and Forbes are still available.
In terms of squad replacements for those two potentially Kaleb Trask, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Poihipi, Gideon Wrampling, Levi Aumua, and Thomas Umaga Jensen.
Tele'a - Off the top of my head Tito-Harris and Mathis could be options. Tele'a was key to our success and he didn't have the same impact this year which I think was telling. Would have been good if we kept anyone of Kade Banks, Caleb Tangitau or Kneepkins.
Potentially Etene Nanai Seturo, Kade Banks or Dan Sinkinson, Oli Mathis, Xavier Tito Harris.
Riccitelli - potentially the hardest to replace. A key team member of our success that has helped us develop a rock solid set piece and winning the collisions. Very high workrate. Potentials - Bradley Slater, Ioane Moananu, George Bell, Sione Vikena, Ray Tuputupu and Vernon Bason. Ideally it would be someone with a lot of experience like Slater or someone with a lot of potential like Bell or Tuputupu.
Suafoa, and Choat - Sadly I can't see Cameron Suafoa making a come back even in remission. Cameron Suafoa obviously covered 6, 8 and lock. He was a player of huge potential and seemed like a great person too.
Choat has been a reliable workhorse and servant for the Blues.
He was a key component of our more success in recent years being a good professional example for younger players.
Potential replacements - Rob Rush, Lotu Inisi, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Sione Havili Talitui, Zach Gallagher, James Thompson, Malachi Wrampling-Alec, Jimmy Tupou, Mitchell Dunshea, Oliver Haig, Xavier Saifoloi, and Ethan Blackadder
heres a idea pick your own players and develop them. you have the biggest catchment and all you want to do it pick out of other sides
All the other teams have absolutely plundered our region during the professional era. There are 15 former Blues players currently playing for other teams.
We're losing over 400 caps combined so you can't just replace them with noobs.
This is a professional sport and players get signed and traded in professional sport from other clubs.
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@brodean of course they do , as you say it professional sport.but in your list I can only count one player not playing for another team.Have you not got a development pathway? No players coming through?
If you don't have a pathway forward for young players no wonder they leave. -
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
So I'm wondering how we will go next year. We need to replace these guys:
Ioane, Plummer, Tele'a, Riccitelli, Suafoa, and Choat.
It's a second year in a row we will need to replace key players.
Ioane, Plummer, Tele'a, Riccitelli have been star players for us and Suafoa/Choat have been key squad members racking up plenty of game time with a lot of starts and experience. We will need to spend some dollars to get players of similar quality.
I'm not a 100% sure who is available but will throw some names out there who are or might be off contract.
Ioane/Plummer - Obviously Rieko and Plummer are massive losses. That said I thought Lam was our best centre last year so he's an option there. At the moment Lam would be the best 12 and 13 option with Ioane gone. Maybe a Taele and Lam partnership.
With Plummer and Ioane going they need two midfield options plus someone who can cover 10. It's worth keeping a hold of Grindlay if we can and developing him.
Another option might be to bring Sullivan in as a midfield option at 12 if Perofeta and Forbes are still available.
In terms of squad replacements for those two potentially Kaleb Trask, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Poihipi, Gideon Wrampling, Levi Aumua, and Thomas Umaga Jensen.
Tele'a - Off the top of my head Tito-Harris and Mathis could be options. Tele'a was key to our success and he didn't have the same impact this year which I think was telling. Would have been good if we kept anyone of Kade Banks, Caleb Tangitau or Kneepkins.
Potentially Etene Nanai Seturo, Kade Banks or Dan Sinkinson, Oli Mathis, Xavier Tito Harris.
Riccitelli - potentially the hardest to replace. A key team member of our success that has helped us develop a rock solid set piece and winning the collisions. Very high workrate. Potentials - Bradley Slater, Ioane Moananu, George Bell, Sione Vikena, Ray Tuputupu and Vernon Bason. Ideally it would be someone with a lot of experience like Slater or someone with a lot of potential like Bell or Tuputupu.
Suafoa, and Choat - Sadly I can't see Cameron Suafoa making a come back even in remission. Cameron Suafoa obviously covered 6, 8 and lock. He was a player of huge potential and seemed like a great person too.
Choat has been a reliable workhorse and servant for the Blues.
He was a key component of our more success in recent years being a good professional example for younger players.
Potential replacements - Rob Rush, Lotu Inisi, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Sione Havili Talitui, Zach Gallagher, James Thompson, Malachi Wrampling-Alec, Jimmy Tupou, Mitchell Dunshea, Oliver Haig, Xavier Saifoloi, and Ethan Blackadder
heres a idea pick your own players and develop them. you have the biggest catchment and all you want to do it pick out of other sides
@ploughboy as far as hookers and replacing Riccitelli goes, I’ve posted a few times now that I’ve heard from a few sources now that Slater is headed your guys way.
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@ploughboy as far as hookers and replacing Riccitelli goes, I’ve posted a few times now that I’ve heard from a few sources now that Slater is headed your guys way.
@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:
@ploughboy as far as hookers and replacing Riccitelli goes, I’ve posted a few times now that I’ve heard from a few sources now that Slater is headed your guys way.
I'd seen that.
Im sure they want to develop Kolose so not surprised. thought he would have headed overseas -
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
So I'm wondering how we will go next year. We need to replace these guys:
Ioane, Plummer, Tele'a, Riccitelli, Suafoa, and Choat.
It's a second year in a row we will need to replace key players.
Ioane, Plummer, Tele'a, Riccitelli have been star players for us and Suafoa/Choat have been key squad members racking up plenty of game time with a lot of starts and experience. We will need to spend some dollars to get players of similar quality.
I'm not a 100% sure who is available but will throw some names out there who are or might be off contract.
Ioane/Plummer - Obviously Rieko and Plummer are massive losses. That said I thought Lam was our best centre last year so he's an option there. At the moment Lam would be the best 12 and 13 option with Ioane gone. Maybe a Taele and Lam partnership.
With Plummer and Ioane going they need two midfield options plus someone who can cover 10. It's worth keeping a hold of Grindlay if we can and developing him.
Another option might be to bring Sullivan in as a midfield option at 12 if Perofeta and Forbes are still available.
In terms of squad replacements for those two potentially Kaleb Trask, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Poihipi, Gideon Wrampling, Levi Aumua, and Thomas Umaga Jensen.
Tele'a - Off the top of my head Tito-Harris and Mathis could be options. Tele'a was key to our success and he didn't have the same impact this year which I think was telling. Would have been good if we kept anyone of Kade Banks, Caleb Tangitau or Kneepkins.
Potentially Etene Nanai Seturo, Kade Banks or Dan Sinkinson, Oli Mathis, Xavier Tito Harris.
Riccitelli - potentially the hardest to replace. A key team member of our success that has helped us develop a rock solid set piece and winning the collisions. Very high workrate. Potentials - Bradley Slater, Ioane Moananu, George Bell, Sione Vikena, Ray Tuputupu and Vernon Bason. Ideally it would be someone with a lot of experience like Slater or someone with a lot of potential like Bell or Tuputupu.
Suafoa, and Choat - Sadly I can't see Cameron Suafoa making a come back even in remission. Cameron Suafoa obviously covered 6, 8 and lock. He was a player of huge potential and seemed like a great person too.
Choat has been a reliable workhorse and servant for the Blues.
He was a key component of our more success in recent years being a good professional example for younger players.
Potential replacements - Rob Rush, Lotu Inisi, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Sione Havili Talitui, Zach Gallagher, James Thompson, Malachi Wrampling-Alec, Jimmy Tupou, Mitchell Dunshea, Oliver Haig, Xavier Saifoloi, and Ethan Blackadder
heres a idea pick your own players and develop them. you have the biggest catchment and all you want to do it pick out of other sides
@ploughboy said in Blues 2025:
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
So I'm wondering how we will go next year. We need to replace these guys:
Ioane, Plummer, Tele'a, Riccitelli, Suafoa, and Choat.
It's a second year in a row we will need to replace key players.
Ioane, Plummer, Tele'a, Riccitelli have been star players for us and Suafoa/Choat have been key squad members racking up plenty of game time with a lot of starts and experience. We will need to spend some dollars to get players of similar quality.
I'm not a 100% sure who is available but will throw some names out there who are or might be off contract.
Ioane/Plummer - Obviously Rieko and Plummer are massive losses. That said I thought Lam was our best centre last year so he's an option there. At the moment Lam would be the best 12 and 13 option with Ioane gone. Maybe a Taele and Lam partnership.
With Plummer and Ioane going they need two midfield options plus someone who can cover 10. It's worth keeping a hold of Grindlay if we can and developing him.
Another option might be to bring Sullivan in as a midfield option at 12 if Perofeta and Forbes are still available.
In terms of squad replacements for those two potentially Kaleb Trask, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Poihipi, Gideon Wrampling, Levi Aumua, and Thomas Umaga Jensen.
Tele'a - Off the top of my head Tito-Harris and Mathis could be options. Tele'a was key to our success and he didn't have the same impact this year which I think was telling. Would have been good if we kept anyone of Kade Banks, Caleb Tangitau or Kneepkins.
Potentially Etene Nanai Seturo, Kade Banks or Dan Sinkinson, Oli Mathis, Xavier Tito Harris.
Riccitelli - potentially the hardest to replace. A key team member of our success that has helped us develop a rock solid set piece and winning the collisions. Very high workrate. Potentials - Bradley Slater, Ioane Moananu, George Bell, Sione Vikena, Ray Tuputupu and Vernon Bason. Ideally it would be someone with a lot of experience like Slater or someone with a lot of potential like Bell or Tuputupu.
Suafoa, and Choat - Sadly I can't see Cameron Suafoa making a come back even in remission. Cameron Suafoa obviously covered 6, 8 and lock. He was a player of huge potential and seemed like a great person too.
Choat has been a reliable workhorse and servant for the Blues.
He was a key component of our more success in recent years being a good professional example for younger players.
Potential replacements - Rob Rush, Lotu Inisi, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Sione Havili Talitui, Zach Gallagher, James Thompson, Malachi Wrampling-Alec, Jimmy Tupou, Mitchell Dunshea, Oliver Haig, Xavier Saifoloi, and Ethan Blackadder
heres a idea pick your own players and develop them. you have the biggest catchment and all you want to do it pick out of other sides
Far out haha a fairly hostile response to a fairly harmless post where he's just making suggestions as to who we could look at (which they won't be).
As I have stated earlier in this thread, it will be a bit of a rebuild year next season. A lot of key guys going which will leave a few holes, notably in the loose trio, midfield and out wide.
A 50% win record I would consider as a success looking at our current options.
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@brodean said in Blues 2025:
you can rule these options out
Ioane Moananu, already Re signed for Crusaders
George Bell I hear is about to Re sign with Crusaders.
Zach Gallagher off to Japan
Xavier Saifoloi,signed for 2026 with Crusaders
Ethan Blackadder not chance will re sign with Crusaders or go to Japan@Chris said in Blues 2025:
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
you can rule these options out
Ioane Moananu, already Re signed for Crusaders
George Bell I hear is about to Re sign with Crusaders.
Zach Gallagher off to Japan
Xavier Saifoloi,signed for 2026 with Crusaders
Ethan Blackadder not chance will re sign with Crusaders or go to JapanAdd Oli Haig to the list, With the Landers through 2026. Someone also posted Dunshea was close to extending with the Landers. It’s slim pickings out there Blues fans, welcome to the struggle of filling out the roster with solid squaddies
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@Chris said in Blues 2025:
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
you can rule these options out
Ioane Moananu, already Re signed for Crusaders
George Bell I hear is about to Re sign with Crusaders.
Zach Gallagher off to Japan
Xavier Saifoloi,signed for 2026 with Crusaders
Ethan Blackadder not chance will re sign with Crusaders or go to JapanAdd Oli Haig to the list, With the Landers through 2026. Someone also posted Dunshea was close to extending with the Landers. It’s slim pickings out there Blues fans, welcome to the struggle of filling out the roster with solid squaddies
@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:
@Chris said in Blues 2025:
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
you can rule these options out
Ioane Moananu, already Re signed for Crusaders
George Bell I hear is about to Re sign with Crusaders.
Zach Gallagher off to Japan
Xavier Saifoloi,signed for 2026 with Crusaders
Ethan Blackadder not chance will re sign with Crusaders or go to JapanAdd Oli Haig to the list. With the Landers through 2026. Someone also posted Dunshea was close to extending with the Landers. It’s slim pickings out there Blues fans, welcome to the struggle of filling out the roster with solid squaddies
We know the feeling lol, 2004-2019 were dark years in Blues territory.
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The Blues are at their best when they promote from within region. They are just coming into a bit of a re-build period.
They shouldn't need 'major' signings. Even with who they have, there is a huge amount of experience.
Barrett, Clarke, Lam, Perofeta, Papali’i, Tuipulotu, Eklund? That is a really experienced core. Should be sufficient to bring through the talent available in the region.
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@ploughboy as far as hookers and replacing Riccitelli goes, I’ve posted a few times now that I’ve heard from a few sources now that Slater is headed your guys way.
If that's true I'd consider Bradley Slater a major boon. He's coming into prime age, was good enough to get selected for All Blacks XV, and has over 50 Super caps under his belt.
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An interesting thread popped up on Reddit today. A parent asking whether his son should go to the Warriors or Auckland/the Blues.
Warriors offering twice as much, and a three year contract. Auckland/Blues a two year deal in an acadamey.
The Warriors are doing a heck of a job getting all over the top talent all around the country.
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An interesting thread popped up on Reddit today. A parent asking whether his son should go to the Warriors or Auckland/the Blues.
Warriors offering twice as much, and a three year contract. Auckland/Blues a two year deal in an acadamey.
The Warriors are doing a heck of a job getting all over the top talent all around the country.
@SouthernMann what the warriors can do is offer players money straight out of school, something academies have never done. Hard not to turn down cash at that age. Comes down to how much a player backs themselves in an academy really doesn’t it
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The Blues are at their best when they promote from within region. They are just coming into a bit of a re-build period.
They shouldn't need 'major' signings. Even with who they have, there is a huge amount of experience.
Barrett, Clarke, Lam, Perofeta, Papali’i, Tuipulotu, Eklund? That is a really experienced core. Should be sufficient to bring through the talent available in the region.
@SouthernMann said in Blues 2025:
The Blues are at their best when they promote from within region. They are just coming into a bit of a re-build period.
They shouldn't need 'major' signings. Even with who they have, there is a huge amount of experience.
Barrett, Clarke, Lam, Perofeta, Papali’i, Tuipulotu, Eklund? That is a really experienced core. Should be sufficient to bring through the talent available in the region.
I'm not interested in rebuilding. I'd like to see them making title shots every year.
Razor brought in over 80 players during his tenure. His squad was in constant flux for those consecutive titles. Over 30 were from out of the Crusaders catchment. Some star imports include Bryn Hall, Digby Ioane, Oli Jager, Sevu Reece, Sione Havili, Pablo Matera, Christian Lio-Willie and John Afoa.
He did what was needed to keep winning titles and I'd like to see the Blues challenging every year.
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Given Moana have signed Savea, Laumape and Sopoaga I think we need some players like that who brings experience and ability. I'd like to see at least 1 fairly major signings but preferably 2.
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
Given Moana have signed Savea, Laumape and Sopoaga I think we need some players like that who brings experience and ability. I'd like to see at least 1 fairly major signings but preferably 2.
You have Rico Simpson coming through the system nicely and also have Perofeta and Sullivan to replace Plummer in that 10 role when BB isn’t there. It’s almost addition by subtraction. No need to find a replacement there
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@brodean said in Blues 2025:
Given Moana have signed Savea, Laumape and Sopoaga I think we need some players like that who brings experience and ability. I'd like to see at least 1 fairly major signings but preferably 2.
You have Rico Simpson coming through the system nicely and also have Perofeta and Sullivan to replace Plummer in that 10 role when BB isn’t there. It’s almost addition by subtraction. No need to find a replacement there
@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
Given Moana have signed Savea, Laumape and Sopoaga I think we need some players like that who brings experience and ability. I'd like to see at least 1 fairly major signings but preferably 2.
You have Rico Simpson coming through the system nicely and also have Perofeta and Sullivan to replace Plummer in that 10 role when BB isn’t there. It’s almost addition by subtraction. No need to find a replacement there
We will still need to find replacements for the squad members. Simpson is talented and we can bring some of the young talent through like him but we need to also buy some experience with ability. I'm not saying we need to replace all of those guys with imports but we should absolutely get 2 or 3. It's 400+ caps so I'd like to see some solid experience included in the replacements.
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@SouthernMann said in Blues 2025:
The Blues are at their best when they promote from within region. They are just coming into a bit of a re-build period.
They shouldn't need 'major' signings. Even with who they have, there is a huge amount of experience.
Barrett, Clarke, Lam, Perofeta, Papali’i, Tuipulotu, Eklund? That is a really experienced core. Should be sufficient to bring through the talent available in the region.
I'm not interested in rebuilding. I'd like to see them making title shots every year.
Razor brought in over 80 players during his tenure. His squad was in constant flux for those consecutive titles. Over 30 were from out of the Crusaders catchment. Some star imports include Bryn Hall, Digby Ioane, Oli Jager, Sevu Reece, Sione Havili, Pablo Matera, Christian Lio-Willie and John Afoa.
He did what was needed to keep winning titles and I'd like to see the Blues challenging every year.
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Blues 2025:
The Blues are at their best when they promote from within region. They are just coming into a bit of a re-build period.
They shouldn't need 'major' signings. Even with who they have, there is a huge amount of experience.
Barrett, Clarke, Lam, Perofeta, Papali’i, Tuipulotu, Eklund? That is a really experienced core. Should be sufficient to bring through the talent available in the region.
I'm not interested in rebuilding. I'd like to see them making title shots every year.
Razor brought in over 80 players during his tenure. His squad was in constant flux for those consecutive titles. Over 30 were from out of the Crusaders catchment. Some star imports include Bryn Hall, Digby Ioane, Oli Jager, Sevu Reece, Sione Havili, Pablo Matera, Christian Lio-Willie and John Afoa.
He did what was needed to keep winning titles and I'd like to see the Blues challenging every year.
Most of those are quite odd players to cite. Lio-Willie had played two Super games. Jager was playing for Canterbury. Afoa was 38 and played what three games. Sevu Reece ended up down there as a Super rookie whose French contract got canned. George Bower was a squaddie at Otago. Ioane played three games. None of those, except for Matera would be marquee signings.
The Blues had a period when they brought guys in. It didn't work. You don't want to be losing your young talent because they can't get a game behind some mid-level holding guy you have brought in.
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@brodean said in Blues 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Blues 2025:
The Blues are at their best when they promote from within region. They are just coming into a bit of a re-build period.
They shouldn't need 'major' signings. Even with who they have, there is a huge amount of experience.
Barrett, Clarke, Lam, Perofeta, Papali’i, Tuipulotu, Eklund? That is a really experienced core. Should be sufficient to bring through the talent available in the region.
I'm not interested in rebuilding. I'd like to see them making title shots every year.
Razor brought in over 80 players during his tenure. His squad was in constant flux for those consecutive titles. Over 30 were from out of the Crusaders catchment. Some star imports include Bryn Hall, Digby Ioane, Oli Jager, Sevu Reece, Sione Havili, Pablo Matera, Christian Lio-Willie and John Afoa.
He did what was needed to keep winning titles and I'd like to see the Blues challenging every year.
Most of those are quite odd players to cite. Lio-Willie had played two Super games. Jager was playing for Canterbury. Afoa was 38 and played what three games. Sevu Reece ended up down there as a Super rookie whose French contract got canned. George Bower was a squaddie at Otago. Ioane played three games. None of those, except for Matera would be marquee signings.
The Blues had a period when they brought guys in. It didn't work. You don't want to be losing your young talent because they can't get a game behind some mid-level holding guy you have brought in.
@SouthernMann said in Blues 2025:
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Blues 2025:
The Blues are at their best when they promote from within region. They are just coming into a bit of a re-build period.
They shouldn't need 'major' signings. Even with who they have, there is a huge amount of experience.
Barrett, Clarke, Lam, Perofeta, Papali’i, Tuipulotu, Eklund? That is a really experienced core. Should be sufficient to bring through the talent available in the region.
I'm not interested in rebuilding. I'd like to see them making title shots every year.
Razor brought in over 80 players during his tenure. His squad was in constant flux for those consecutive titles. Over 30 were from out of the Crusaders catchment. Some star imports include Bryn Hall, Digby Ioane, Oli Jager, Sevu Reece, Sione Havili, Pablo Matera, Christian Lio-Willie and John Afoa.
He did what was needed to keep winning titles and I'd like to see the Blues challenging every year.
Most of those are quite odd players to cite. Lio-Willie had played two Super games. Jager was playing for Canterbury. Afoa was 38 and played what three games. Sevu Reece ended up down there as a Super rookie whose French contract got canned. George Bower was a squaddie at Otago. Ioane played three games. None of those, except for Matera would be marquee signings.
The Blues had a period when they brought guys in. It didn't work. You don't want to be losing your young talent because they can't get a game behind some mid-level holding guy you have brought in.
The point is they were players that were not developed in the Crusaders catchment who have been instrumental to their success.
John Afoa helped get them into the finals. Razor did what was needed.
The Blues had years between 2004 and 2021 where we were relying mostly on local talent from the catchment.
Things have actually gotten better since we started bringing in outside players like.
Alex Hodgman
Karl Tu'inukuafe
Otere Black
Beauden Barrett
Nepo Laulala
Finlay Christie
Sam Darry
Bryce Heem
Ricky Riccitelli
Luke Romano
Anton Segner
Laghlan McWhannellThis year we didn't really have any notable signings in terms of experienced players with ability.
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A big NPC from Che Clark would be useful
I wouldn't be surprised to see Sullivan in the midfield next season. Cotter talked about it earlier this year. Taele/Lam should be the top pair though
