Blues 2026
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How are the Blues looking in the outside backs?
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@WoodysRFC said in Blues 2026:
Looking at Reon Paul, Clarke, Forbes, Sullivan, Spencer, Saunoa, anyone else?
So, Perofeta at fullback with Clarke on one wing and ??? For a region that produces a lot of outside backs depth looks a bit shallow
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@WoodysRFC said in Blues 2026:
Looking at Reon Paul, Clarke, Forbes, Sullivan, Spencer, Saunoa, anyone else?
Spencer and Paul I thought had one year deals for 2025?
Spencer shouldn't be there based on this years form. He needs to bulk up and work on his defence.
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@brodean said in Blues 2026:
@WoodysRFC said in Blues 2026:
Looking at Reon Paul, Clarke, Forbes, Sullivan, Spencer, Saunoa, anyone else?
Spencer and Paul I thought had one year deals for 2025?
Spencer shouldn't be there based on this years form. He needs to bulk up and work on his defence.
Just working on assumptions here, would be inclined to agree. So who's most likely, since you're looking rather light?
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@Bovidae said in Blues 2026:
Who posted this rumour?
The myth of Dmac getting oracle status for being a fern lurker.
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@brodean Spencer signed until end of 26. Paul is off contract this year but may be re-signed. He looked useful coming back from injury for BOP late in the NPC.
Codi Vai may be there. He was not with NZ Sevens last weekend. Kade Banks is also a possibility.
The Props selections will be interesting. Ofa's injury (we had rumors on here of possible medical retirement). Gus gone, Sheck off contract, the invisible man Ben Ake who has been with Auckland and the Blues for 3 seasons and played 6 times for Auckland in 23 and nothing since. Amazingly he still has 2 years to run on his 5 year Blues contract having yet to play due mostly to long term injury. The fact they have 3 props in the above rumored wider training group suggests they have injury concerns or will drop from 7 props to six this season allowing for an extra loose forward/lock. -
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@Duluth I would too. but I fear him ending up in the Crusaders wider group replacing Trainor who withdrew to return to MLR. Also suspect our coach does not rate smaller backs, hence loosing Tito-Harris while signing bodies like Paul, Vai and Suanoa. We always produce big strong athletes. The fast, nimble quick thinkers are rare we should protect them when we find them.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2026:
@Duluth I would too. but I fear him ending up in the Crusaders wider group replacing Trainor who withdrew to return to MLR. Also suspect our coach does not rate smaller backs, hence loosing Tito-Harris while signing bodies like Paul, Vai and Suanoa.
Odd, Tito-Harris isn't exactly a midget, bigger than Vai I'd imagine. It's a shame if that's your coaches mentality since we're in a golden period for smaller outside backs.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2026:
Also suspect our coach does not rate smaller backs
Hopefully that's not the case. He does rate Taele
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@Steven-Harris who have the chiefs signed
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From Sam Slade's Instagram. It appears that Choat ahs sorted his Visa.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Has Slade moved to Japan too?
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Got an odd feeling about this squad. We struggled with frontrow depth last year. Really hope Tu'ungufasi is back, and there's a couple of strong signings.
Six is up for grabs. Who is the backup number 8?
Will Funaki kick on?
Will Darry stay fit? Perofeta and Barrett?
A bit of uncertainty around midfield and back three.
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What's the 23 looking like before Tuipulotu returns?
1 Fusitua
2 Slater
3 Renata
4 Beehre
5 Darry
6 Christie
7 Papalii
8 Sotutu9 Christie
10 Barrett
11 Clarke
12 Evans
13 Lam
14 ?
15 Sullivan16 Eklund
17 Tu'ungufasi
18 ?
19 McWhannell
20 Segner/Wrampling
21 Funaki
22 Perofeta
23 Ahki/TaeleDefinitely a possibility for a 6-2 split, given the versatility in the backline.
Good replacements for Ta'avao and Telea are needed in the squad.
