Blues 2026

[BellsGeorg]

@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

[Chris]

@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 .

[Duluth]

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.

[Grooter]

@Duluth nice to see Kade Banks back from his loan spell

[UpTheHarbs]

@Grooter Hope he gets more game time than what he got over the last two years at SR level, especially with this big backline reshuffle

[Duluth]

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

[brodean]

@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.

[KiwiMurph]

Banks is a nice surprise

[brodean]

Yep Im happy that Banks is back.

[Duluth]

2026 Blues Wider Training Group

Torian Barnes
Hemopo Cunningham
Tima Fainga’anuku
Esile Fono
Leo Gordon
Jack Lee
Sam Matenga
Jed Melvin
Eli Oudenryn
Josh Renton
Harlyn Saunoa
Mason Tupaea

[Duluth]

Picking Tima Fainga’anuku seems like a wasted chance to pick a young player with potential

Torian Barnes in the Blues WTG and Sam Hainsworth-Fa'aofo in the Crusaders WTG

[Grooter]

@Duluth Cohen Norrie not going to be training with the blues? would be a shame for blues fan if he got a phone call from Jamie Joe next July wouldn't it

[Tim]

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 Sotutu

9 Christie
10 Barrett
11 Clarke
12 Lam
13 Ahki
14 Vai
15 Sullivan

16 Eklund
17 Tu'ungufasi
18 Yates
19 Beehre
20 Segner/Wrampling
21 Funaki
22 Perofeta
23 Evans/Taele

[Kiwidom]

@Grooter Norrie is eligible for NZ under 20s next year,so will be with th e Blues but on an NDC

[KiwiMurph]

@Tim Banks to start over Vai at 14.