Blues 2026
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Blues 2026:
looking closely at a few halfbacks
Funaki is rumored to be leaving after this season. I would be throwing the checkbook at Charlie Sinton.
Yeah, that is where I'd be going. Promise the kid a starting spot either next year or the year after.
Christie - 30
Nock - 29
Funaki - 25
Renton - 31James Arscott is also around being aligned to Auckland. He's a third pick at best.
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Do they try and lure one of Hotham or Preston on a big contract away from the Crusaders?
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@MacDazzler said in Blues 2026:
Do they try and lure one of Hotham or Preston on a big contract away from the Crusaders?
I reckon Preston will go overseas after the next contract he has with the Saders. Is 26, is unlikely to add many, if any to his test caps. Being a capped AB gives massive value add.
Hotham is the Crusaders long-term guy.
Sinton is who they need to throw the bag at.
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I thought Marco Miln (Kings, halfback and first five) was one of the few players who came out of that U18 Trans- Ta$man demolition with his reputation relatively intact.
Needs to quicken his delivery and the execution wasn’t always there but he’s got vision and athletic ability. A good foundation to build on.
I’d think (and hope) the Blues will have identified him as potentially an important future piece.
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@Tim said in Blues 2026:
I would love for us to go full Auckland-piston wristed gibbons mode and scoop up Pledger.
Nice bait. Will let that one just drift by haha.
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@SouthernMann im not a big fan of Nock, but some of the images I've seen of him, he is in incredible shape this year, hopefully he has a change of mindset with it given he has the skillset to be a starting 9, but I won't hold my breath he will suddenly be a smarter player.
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@Yeetyaah said in Blues 2026:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2026:
Charlie Sinton
Keep your hands off him
The Chiefs gave Sinton an NDC for a second year to keep him in the system. You would expect he replaces TTT in 2027.
There are a few halfbacks from the Blues region who have made NZ age-group teams in recent years but not progressed further (yet).
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I see Caleb Clarke has been spending time with the Sydney Swans, which is great to see.
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2026:
@SouthernMann im not a big fan of Nock, but some of the images I've seen of him, he is in incredible shape this year, hopefully he has a change of mindset with it given he has the skillset to be a starting 9, but I won't hold my breath he will suddenly be a smarter player.
I wonder if he’ll play out his entire career at the Blues. He’s never been the confirmed starter but has been content to stick around all this time
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@Duluth he seems to be that type, he has had offers elsewhere, but as you say, content with his lot.
Kudo's to him, certainly never lived up to his potential, and frustrating as hell to watch given you see glimpses of his ceiling, but he seems committed to the Blues & Northland.
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Nock might ecen get to the 100 mark for the Blues if he hangs around for about 2 more seasons.
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@Tim said in Blues 2026:
@Duluth said in Blues 2026:
The BB top up cash frees up soon
2027 might be the time to buy Roigard ...
Get your pesky hands off.
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Roigard, Pledger, Preston, Hotham, Fakatava all under contract until 2027.
Other options include Viljoen (signed until 2026), Jai Tamati (Hurricanes WTG), Nic Shearer (Highlanders WTG)... then which ever young guy is around camp.
Question is will the Chiefs do with Sinton what the Landers have done with Muliaina and take him off the market early.
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@Mauss said in Blues 2026:
I thought Marco Miln (Kings, halfback and first five) was one of the few players who came out of that U18 Trans- Ta$man demolition with his reputation relatively intact.
Needs to quicken his delivery and the execution wasn’t always there but he’s got vision and athletic ability. A good foundation to build on.
I’d think (and hope) the Blues will have identified him as potentially an important future piece.
@Mauss I believe he could have been snapped up by the Crusaders and their academy. He was definitely was looking at moving to Christchurch for university so makes sense from an academic standpoint.
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@frugby said in Blues 2026:
Have heard Dalton Papalii is looking offshore, possibly already signed offshore. Anyone got anything on that?
Well with him falling out with Razor, it is of no surprise.
Once again the Blues becoming a breeding ground for overseas clubs. Yay.
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If you are a youngster, is there any point in signing for the Blues? It's extremely hard to get a look in if you play for them.
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@African-Monkey said in Blues 2026:
If you are a youngster, is there any point in signing for the Blues? It's extremely hard to get a look in if you play for them.
Unless you are BB or Christie.
I really thought Lam was worth having a look at.
