Blues 2026
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No Suafoa and no Choat next year. So there will be another loosie to add. I assume it will be someone who can play 7
Maybe that will be Hainsworth-Fa'aofo?
That would mean the Blues have four established players:
Papali'i, Sotutu, Christie & SegnerAnd a trio of guys from the 2023 NZ u20's
Hainsworth-Fa'aofo, Wrampling, Clark -
Vern likes a big pack so I think Trystan Cook gets picked to share 6/lock with Christie, allowing Segner to be back up 7. Segner needs to specialize to advance his game. He tends to be the spare part man at the moment playing which ever position there are injuries . He is still only 23 so has time to grow his game. They had 7 props and six loosies this year which is unusual so could let Sheck go and add another specialist 7. Kitiona Vai would be an exciting openside option if he doesn't return to the Sevens (and stays fit).
With Choat likely paying in the NPC it may limit game time for SHF and Vai unless Choat plays 6. I would like the two young guys share 7 duties so they can be assessed for super selection. SHF is only 22 and has been in the blues training group for 2-3 years but is always injured. He has played only one game for Auckland, in 2022 off the bench. -
@cgrant said in Blues 2025:
Woodley ?
He’d be an outlier as I don’t think there were any U20 players signed to a Super Rugby team this year (Letiu was only an injury replacement) and Woodley would still be eligible for the U20s in 2026 (he’s a January ’06 birth).
That being said, I do think NZR could be a bit less conservative when it comes to player pathways. There’s an argument to be made that it would accelerate their development.
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With Malachi Wrampling Alec signed it would to see someone with a high workrate like Rob Rush, Lotu Inisi, Sione Havili Talitui or Ekuasi.
Although Suafoa covered lock too. Maybe someone like Dunshea, Tai Cribb or Aisake Vakasiuola who has the size already.
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@whatsupdude1234 said in Blues 2025:
@Mauss i don't see all the hype about segner, average super ruby player. wouldn't be surprised if he gets moved on in a year or 2
I don't necessarily disagree. At the moment, he's a good glue guy (the added lineout game this year was a nice touch) but he often still looks too light in contact.
But for now, I do think he can do a job, although I would switch Segner to openside and Papali'i to the blind.
@Mauss said in Blues 2025:
But for now, I do think he can do a job, although I would switch Segner to openside and Papali'i to the blind.
I've had the same thought myself. The other option is to find a better 6 and leave Segner as an impact player.
Papali'i's career is at a bit of an impasse with Savea playing at 7. He could have switched to 6 this year and made a go of that but now Tupou Vaa'i is starting to make strong claims to 6 and that's likely to be a continuing situation after Barrett continues as captain along with the emergence of Holland.
Vaa'i is obviously higher up in the pecking order than Papali'i now.
Jacobson moves around a lot so he has the dibs on the utility role.
Now he is in the AB's against France who have had a strong bench and he's covering lock/blindside in the event of an injury. A tough situation for him.
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@Mauss said in Blues 2025:
But for now, I do think he can do a job, although I would switch Segner to openside and Papali'i to the blind.
I've had the same thought myself. The other option is to find a better 6 and leave Segner as an impact player.
Papali'i's career is at a bit of an impasse with Savea playing at 7. He could have switched to 6 this year and made a go of that but now Tupou Vaa'i is starting to make strong claims to 6 and that's likely to be a continuing situation after Barrett continues as captain along with the emergence of Holland.
Vaa'i is obviously higher up in the pecking order than Papali'i now.
Jacobson moves around a lot so he has the dibs on the utility role.
Now he is in the AB's against France who have had a strong bench and he's covering lock/blindside in the event of an injury. A tough situation for him.
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
Now he is in the AB's against France who have had a strong bench and he's covering lock/blindside in the event of an injury. A tough situation for him.
I thought Papali’i did well coming off the bench last Saturday, he brought some more stability to the breakdown while carrying strongly as well. When Vaa’i played blindside against the French, it was clear he was instructed to focus on the breakdown, to complement Savea and Lio-Willie’s ball-carrying. I think Papali’i could perform a similar role, perhaps better than someone like Finau could.
Finau is probably the best ball-carrying option of the blindsides but he’s not a huge presence at the attacking breakdown. In his 65 minutes on Saturday, Finau only attended 16 attacking rucks throughout the game, the least of the loose forward trio. Papali’i, on the other hand, attended 14 attacking rucks in just 15 minutes on the field. He also showed a nice balance between his tight work at the breakdown and his work in the loose, carrying and passing effectively.
With Savea the first name on the team sheet and Sititi still to come back, ball-carrying won’t be seen as a priority for the blindside. So while Vaa’i could easily be tried against the bigger packs, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the coaches would turn to Papali’i if they wanted a more mobile 6, alongside the aforementioned two. He could also retain the 19 jersey as loose forward cover alongside someone like Kirifi or Jacobson, if the ABs continue starting with 3 locks.
So while Papali’i hasn’t played 6 at Super Rugby in a while, it doesn’t look like Robertson has any doubts on whether he can play there at Test level. And judging on his short appearance on Saturday, I tend to agree with him.
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Papali'i played like a man fighting for his future in the Black jersey. He was really good, he showed in his small cameo that he still has plenty to offer, and as you said Mauss, could be the man off the bench with his utility value.
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@brodean said in Blues 2025:
Now he is in the AB's against France who have had a strong bench and he's covering lock/blindside in the event of an injury. A tough situation for him.
I thought Papali’i did well coming off the bench last Saturday, he brought some more stability to the breakdown while carrying strongly as well. When Vaa’i played blindside against the French, it was clear he was instructed to focus on the breakdown, to complement Savea and Lio-Willie’s ball-carrying. I think Papali’i could perform a similar role, perhaps better than someone like Finau could.
Finau is probably the best ball-carrying option of the blindsides but he’s not a huge presence at the attacking breakdown. In his 65 minutes on Saturday, Finau only attended 16 attacking rucks throughout the game, the least of the loose forward trio. Papali’i, on the other hand, attended 14 attacking rucks in just 15 minutes on the field. He also showed a nice balance between his tight work at the breakdown and his work in the loose, carrying and passing effectively.
With Savea the first name on the team sheet and Sititi still to come back, ball-carrying won’t be seen as a priority for the blindside. So while Vaa’i could easily be tried against the bigger packs, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the coaches would turn to Papali’i if they wanted a more mobile 6, alongside the aforementioned two. He could also retain the 19 jersey as loose forward cover alongside someone like Kirifi or Jacobson, if the ABs continue starting with 3 locks.
So while Papali’i hasn’t played 6 at Super Rugby in a while, it doesn’t look like Robertson has any doubts on whether he can play there at Test level. And judging on his short appearance on Saturday, I tend to agree with him.
@Mauss said in Blues 2025:
So while Papali’i hasn’t played 6 at Super Rugby in a while, it doesn’t look like Robertson has any doubts on whether he can play there at Test leve
I love me some Dalts, but if he's playing who's your third lineout option? He's been used, (as has Ardie), but that does not make them feasible. Maybe this is the Holland effect - our lineout height goes up so we can play the midgets that Razor loves in the loose.
If you aren't picking loosies for height, then maybe the trio starts to look different. Dalton then competing with EB (when fit) for the workrate 6 position? We seem to be quite shades of blended average in our loosies at the moment, lots of 6.5 and few specialists.
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@Mauss said in Blues 2025:
So while Papali’i hasn’t played 6 at Super Rugby in a while, it doesn’t look like Robertson has any doubts on whether he can play there at Test leve
I love me some Dalts, but if he's playing who's your third lineout option? He's been used, (as has Ardie), but that does not make them feasible. Maybe this is the Holland effect - our lineout height goes up so we can play the midgets that Razor loves in the loose.
If you aren't picking loosies for height, then maybe the trio starts to look different. Dalton then competing with EB (when fit) for the workrate 6 position? We seem to be quite shades of blended average in our loosies at the moment, lots of 6.5 and few specialists.
@nzzp said in Blues 2025:
I love me some Dalts, but if he's playing who's your third lineout option? He's been used, (as has Ardie), but that does not make them feasible
He has generally been the forth option at the Blues because of guys like Sotutu, Robinson, Suafoa and Segner
I think he is a genuine target though
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@Mauss said in Blues 2025:
So while Papali’i hasn’t played 6 at Super Rugby in a while, it doesn’t look like Robertson has any doubts on whether he can play there at Test leve
I love me some Dalts, but if he's playing who's your third lineout option? He's been used, (as has Ardie), but that does not make them feasible. Maybe this is the Holland effect - our lineout height goes up so we can play the midgets that Razor loves in the loose.
If you aren't picking loosies for height, then maybe the trio starts to look different. Dalton then competing with EB (when fit) for the workrate 6 position? We seem to be quite shades of blended average in our loosies at the moment, lots of 6.5 and few specialists.
@nzzp said in Blues 2025:
I love me some Dalts, but if he's playing who's your third lineout option? He's been used, (as has Ardie), but that does not make them feasible. Maybe this is the Holland effect - our lineout height goes up so we can play the midgets that Razor loves in the loose.
I don't think he's a bad lineout option but I'd agree you wouldn't select him for his lineout ability in the way you would someone like Finau. I was impressed with Sititi's speed off the mark at lineout time last year, so they should be alright, especially if there's genuine tall timber in the second row (Holland, Darry, Lord).
We seem to be quite shades of blended average in our loosies at the moment, lots of 6.5 and few specialists.
I think this is the main issue, there's not a lot of 'complete' loose forwards right now who have a very well-rounded skillset. But that's the skill of selection, though, finding the parts that fit well together. Someone like Finau is a great player but you need to play him in the right loose forward combination, same with Papali'i.
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Hunt is on for a new CEO as Hore departs -
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360765168/blues-ceo-andrew-hore-depart-super-rugby-powerhouse-club
https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/blues-ceo-andrew-hore-step-down -
Hunt is on for a new CEO as Hore departs -
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360765168/blues-ceo-andrew-hore-depart-super-rugby-powerhouse-club
https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/blues-ceo-andrew-hore-step-down@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2025:
Hunt is on for a new CEO as Hore departs
I think most people were underwhelmed when he was first named. He did well. So much better than the admin in the decade before he was appointed
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2025:
Hunt is on for a new CEO as Hore departs
I think most people were underwhelmed when he was first named. He did well. So much better than the admin in the decade before he was appointed
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@brodean said in Blues 2025:
Now he is in the AB's against France who have had a strong bench and he's covering lock/blindside in the event of an injury. A tough situation for him.
I thought Papali’i did well coming off the bench last Saturday, he brought some more stability to the breakdown while carrying strongly as well. When Vaa’i played blindside against the French, it was clear he was instructed to focus on the breakdown, to complement Savea and Lio-Willie’s ball-carrying. I think Papali’i could perform a similar role, perhaps better than someone like Finau could.
Finau is probably the best ball-carrying option of the blindsides but he’s not a huge presence at the attacking breakdown. In his 65 minutes on Saturday, Finau only attended 16 attacking rucks throughout the game, the least of the loose forward trio. Papali’i, on the other hand, attended 14 attacking rucks in just 15 minutes on the field. He also showed a nice balance between his tight work at the breakdown and his work in the loose, carrying and passing effectively.
With Savea the first name on the team sheet and Sititi still to come back, ball-carrying won’t be seen as a priority for the blindside. So while Vaa’i could easily be tried against the bigger packs, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the coaches would turn to Papali’i if they wanted a more mobile 6, alongside the aforementioned two. He could also retain the 19 jersey as loose forward cover alongside someone like Kirifi or Jacobson, if the ABs continue starting with 3 locks.
So while Papali’i hasn’t played 6 at Super Rugby in a while, it doesn’t look like Robertson has any doubts on whether he can play there at Test level. And judging on his short appearance on Saturday, I tend to agree with him.
@Mauss said in Blues 2025:
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
Now he is in the AB's against France who have had a strong bench and he's covering lock/blindside in the event of an injury. A tough situation for him.
I thought Papali’i did well coming off the bench last Saturday, he brought some more stability to the breakdown while carrying strongly as well. When Vaa’i played blindside against the French, it was clear he was instructed to focus on the breakdown, to complement Savea and Lio-Willie’s ball-carrying. I think Papali’i could perform a similar role, perhaps better than someone like Finau could.
Finau is probably the best ball-carrying option of the blindsides but he’s not a huge presence at the attacking breakdown. In his 65 minutes on Saturday, Finau only attended 16 attacking rucks throughout the game, the least of the loose forward trio. Papali’i, on the other hand, attended 14 attacking rucks in just 15 minutes on the field. He also showed a nice balance between his tight work at the breakdown and his work in the loose, carrying and passing effectively.
With Savea the first name on the team sheet and Sititi still to come back, ball-carrying won’t be seen as a priority for the blindside. So while Vaa’i could easily be tried against the bigger packs, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the coaches would turn to Papali’i if they wanted a more mobile 6, alongside the aforementioned two. He could also retain the 19 jersey as loose forward cover alongside someone like Kirifi or Jacobson, if the ABs continue starting with 3 locks.
So while Papali’i hasn’t played 6 at Super Rugby in a while, it doesn’t look like Robertson has any doubts on whether he can play there at Test level. And judging on his short appearance on Saturday, I tend to agree with him.
Agree with your post. Papali'i was excellent and offered real impact. Had my doubts about him in that role but happy to be proven wrong.
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@nzzp said in Blues 2025:
I love me some Dalts, but if he's playing who's your third lineout option? He's been used, (as has Ardie), but that does not make them feasible
He has generally been the forth option at the Blues because of guys like Sotutu, Robinson, Suafoa and Segner
I think he is a genuine target though
@Duluth said in Blues 2025:
@nzzp said in Blues 2025:
I love me some Dalts, but if he's playing who's your third lineout option? He's been used, (as has Ardie), but that does not make them feasible
He has generally been the forth option at the Blues because of guys like Sotutu, Robinson, Suafoa and Segner
I think he is a genuine target though
I agree that he's a genuine target. Everytime I've seen him go up he's taken the lineout cleanly. He's also a bigger body in mauls compared to some of the smaller options.
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@KiwiMurph said in Auckland Rugby 2025:
@Kirwan said in Auckland Rugby 2025:
@African-Monkey said in Auckland Rugby 2025:
@Kirwan said in Auckland Rugby 2025:
I'm on the Tito-Harris FAB bandwagon, can't wait to get him playing with Clarke and the Blues
Hopefully he doesn't end up at the Highlanders.
If the Cantabs could stockpile tens back in the day, we can stockpile wingers. I hear Tito-Harris can play midfield too, so one to keep to develop that as well
It's not even stockpiling. Blues have lost Telea, Tangitau and Kade Banks in the last 12 months (plus Heem who could play wing though not so much in recent years). Blues desperately need wingers.
Replying to a post from the Auckland thread
It's not just wing - there's room for a lot of new faces in the backs. Telea & Plummer gone, Ioane on sabbatical, Grindlay out of favour and Paul injured
They should be signing up a few of the young Auckland backs
I presume they'll try to recruit an experienced midfielder. If that doesn't work out I wonder if they'll resurrect the Zarn to midfield plan that didn't happen this year because of injury?
