Blues 2026
-
-
@Chris the Crusaders losing White and Inch at the same time, when they only have two 10s and no other younger guys coming through, would be a total disaster
-
@BellsGeorg said in Blues 2026:
@Chris the Crusaders losing White and Inch at the same time, when they only have two 10s and no other younger guys coming through, would be a total disaster
Yeah it seems like a strange rumour,Especially as they have been grooming White for that 3rd First five spot for a while as I said am not sure how accurate this is .
-
Props: Ben Ake, Joshua Fusitu’a, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Flyn Yates.
Hookers: Kurt Eklund, James Mullan, Bradley Slater.
Locks: Josh Beehre, Cam Christie, Tristyn Cook, Sam Darry, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu.
Loose forwards: Che Clark, Dalton Papali’i, Terrell Peita, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Malachi Wrampling.
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Taufa Funaki, Sam Nock.
First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Stephen Perofeta, Rico Simpson.
Midfielders: Pita Ahki, James Cameron, AJ Lam, Xavi Taele.
Outside backs: Kade Banks, Caleb Clarke, Corey Evans, Cole Forbes, Payton Spencer, Zarn Sullivan, Cody Vai.
Ins: Terrell Peita, Bradley Slater, Flyn Yates, Pita Ahki, Kade Banks, James Cameron, Rico Simpson, Cody Vai, Malachi Wrampling.
Outs: Angus Ta’avao, PJ Sheck, Ricky Riccitelli, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Harry Plummer, Rieko Ioane, Meihana Grindlay, Mark Tele’a, Reon Paul. -
@Duluth said in Blues 2026:
The interesting picks were already reported
A lot depends on Perofeta's ongoing niggly injury. Simpson is fine as a long term pick but I wouldn't trust him in the 23 yet. If/when Perofeta is injured I wonder if they'll use Evans to cover ten
There is always Sullivan to cover 10 too. Having Perofeta listed is a 10 is good to see because he can put some pressure on Barrett if fit.
Overall not too bad a squad. I sense we have the players to have another crack but we might struggle if Tu'ungafasi doesn't recover.
-
-
So looking at a match day 23 much as predicted. With all first choice players available, tighthead prop is still a concern. No idea if Yates will be up to it. Is Jordan Lay able to scrum competently at TH?
1 Fusitua
2 Slater
3 Renata
4 Tuipulotu
5 Darry
6 Christie
7 Papalii
8 Sotutu9 Christie
10 Barrett
11 Clarke
12 Lam
13 Ahki
14 Vai
15 Sullivan16 Eklund
17 Tu'ungufasi
18 Yates
19 Beehre
20 Segner/Wrampling
21 Funaki
22 Perofeta
23 Evans/Taele -
@Steven-Harris Rob Rush wasn't picked up in any WTG ?
-
The Blues will warm up for their 2026 campaign with two pre-season clashes on home turf against the Hurricanes and Crusaders in the New Year.
First up, the squad will take the field on Friday 30 January against the Hurricanes at Sacred Heart College in Glendowie at 1:30pm. Details on public attendance are still being finalised.
A week later, the Blues host the Crusaders on Friday 6 February (Waitangi Day) at Takapuna Rugby Club, Onewa Domain.
