Blues 2026
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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.
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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 ?
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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.
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@Tim said in Blues 2026:
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/TaeleThink Ahki will get 12. Patrick won't be available initially. Probably won't happen but I'd prefer to see something like this.
1 Fusitua
2 Slater
3 Renata
4 Beehre
5 Darry ( vc )
6 Wrampling
7 Papalii (c)
8 Sotutu9 Funaki
10 Perofeta
11 Clarke
12 Ahki
13 Lam
14 Banks
15 Sullivan16 Eklund
17 Tu'ungufasi
18 Yates
19 McWhannell
20 Peita
21 Nock
22 Barrett
23 Evans/TaeleA back three combo of Sullivan, Banks and Clarke will serve us quite well in the air.
Wrampling and Peita I thought had better NPC than the other options. Christie wasn't great on attack and Segner wasn't great on defence.
Peita potentially a very good impact player.
Funaki a much better distributer than Christie and continues to work on his kicking game. Nock a good impact player.
Vai needs a bit of bulk.
If injuries are kind to us, and we are not too conservative in the halves, I think we will be in with a shot. Question marks over depth in several positions but it will be the same for other squads.
If Fusitua can improve his discipline he can be a real weapon for us.
