Blues 2026

[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.

[Kiwidom]

@Steven-Harris Rob Rush wasn't picked up in any WTG ?

[Steven Harris]

@Kiwidom he’s with NZ Sevens

[Tim]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360876021/all-blacks-prop-ofa-tuungafasi-comeback-trail-neck-surgery-blues

[Daffy Jaffy]

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.

[brodean]

@Tim said in Blues 2026:

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

Think 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 Sotutu

9 Funaki
10 Perofeta
11 Clarke
12 Ahki
13 Lam
14 Banks
15 Sullivan

16 Eklund
17 Tu'ungufasi
18 Yates
19 McWhannell
20 Peita
21 Nock
22 Barrett
23 Evans/Taele

A 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.