Blues 2017

[African Monkey]

@Rancid-Schnitzel Yes he did myself included but he did very well in the 12 jersey last season.

[nzzp]

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues 2017:

@Tim

He's copped a fair bit of shit from some here, but I thought he was very solid last season. He deserves his place.

Agree.

A big step up on Lachie Munro and Jamie Helleur.

[taniwharugby]

@nzzp said in Blues 2017:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues 2017:

@Tim

He's copped a fair bit of shit from some here, but I thought he was very solid last season. He deserves his place.

Agree.

A big step up on Lachie Munro and Jamie Helleur.

both of whom seem to be making some decent coin in the NH!

[nzzp]

@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:

@nzzp said in Blues 2017:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues 2017:

@Tim

He's copped a fair bit of shit from some here, but I thought he was very solid last season. He deserves his place.

Agree.

A big step up on Lachie Munro and Jamie Helleur.

both of whom seem to be making some decent coin in the NH!

Yep, good for them

[Tim]

So a full strength Blues XV is going to be looking pretty damn good this year:

15. Nanai
14. Duffie 
13. R. Ioane
12. SBW
11. Moala
10. West/Francis
  9. A. Pulu
  8. Luatua/Ioane
  7. Gibson 
  6. Kaino
  5. Tuipulotu
  4. Tupou 
  3. Faumaina
  2. Parsons (c)
  1. Manu

[nzzp]

@Tim said in Blues 2017:

So a full strength Blues XV is going to be looking pretty damn good this year:

Pulu's pass is making a big difference. Early in the game he threw a flat 20 m ball to people to crash - that's getting towards A Smith -- not there, but getting there.

I cracked a wee chubby when I saw that. Happy days after a long dark road.

[Kirwan]

@nzzp said in Blues 2017:

@Tim said in Blues 2017:

So a full strength Blues XV is going to be looking pretty damn good this year:

Pulu's pass is making a big difference. Early in the game he threw a flat 20 m ball to people to crash - that's getting towards A Smith -- not there, but getting there.

I cracked a wee chubby when I saw that. Happy days after a long dark road.

He also is an attacking threat in his own right, that try he scored Cullen would have been proud of. Will give the ten more space, from his pass and the defenders holding for his running game. And he doesn't mind taking it into traffic to hit it up.

I was very happy watching him.

[Stargazer]

The Blues U20 team will play the Chiefs U20 team tomorrow. Kick-off 2.30pm at Manukau Rugby Club.

Full Blues U20 team:

    Robb Cobb
    JP Sauni
    Jerry Samania
    Jacob Pierce
    Sam Slade
    Hoskins Sotutu
    Dalton Papalii (C)
    Dylan Lam
    Lewis Gjaltema
    Otumaka Mausia
    Siave Togoiu
    Tamati Tua
    Nikolai Foliaki
    Caleb Clarke
    TJ Vaega
    Charles Napa’a
    Feou Teuteu

    Afioga Ielemia
    John Akaula-Laula
    Adrian Choat
    Henry Saker
    Wiseguy Faiane
    James Little
    Loketi Manu
    Cameron Suafoa
    Waimana Reidlinger-Kapa
    Tanielu Tele’a
    Penisoni Fineanganofo

Remaining games:
next week: v a Hurricanes U20 side in Wellington
22 March: v Argentina U20s at Waitemata Rugby Football Club

http://theblues.co.nz/u20-team-named-face-chiefs/

[Dice]

I feel for the U20 boys, look at who is coaching them.

[KiwiMurph]

@Dice said in Blues 2017:

I feel for the U20 boys, look at who is coaching them.

So much this. Might be more his level - he can do this and Auckland can get a new coach.

[Tim]

Ioane certainly impressed with his speed, footwork and timing of his runs. The centre position looks his for the long-term in a team still yet to bring back heavy-hitters such as Sonny Bill Williams, James Parsons, Jerome Kaino and Patrick Tuipulotu. The latter two may be back in the picture as early as next week.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/89787191/tana-umagas-blues-keeping-grounded-after-highflying-start-to-super-rugby

[Dice]

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2017:

@Dice said in Blues 2017:

I feel for the U20 boys, look at who is coaching them.

So much this. Might be more his level - he can do this and Auckland can get a new coach.

This is a pretty good U20s team with good depth, so it'd take someone special to stuff it up.

[Stargazer]

Blues Development team to play Chiefs Development on Saturday (curtain raiser at FMG Waikato Stadium):

1 Sam Prattley, Blues (Auckland)
2 James Parsons, Blues (North Harbour)
3 Marcel Renata, Auckland
4 Josh Goodhue, Blues (Northland)
5 Scott Scrafton, Blues (Auckland)
6 Brandon Nansen, Blues (North Harbour)
7 Murphy Taramai, Blues (North Harbour)
8 Kara Pryor, Blues (Northland)
9 Lisati Milo-Harris, Auckland
10 Bryn Gatland, North Harbour
11 Jordan Hyland, Northland
12 TJ Faiane, Blues (Auckland)
13 Matt Vaega, Blues (North Harbour)
14 Salesi Rayasi, Auckland
15 Jordan Trainor, Auckland

16 Joe Royal, Blues
17 Howard Silioto, Northland
18 Namatahi Waa, Northland
19 Sam Ulufonua, Auckland
20 Hapakuki Moala-Liava’a, North Harbour
21 Herschel Gideon, Auckland
22 William Talataina-Mu, Auckland
23 Pisi Leilua, Auckland

[taniwharugby]

did Nock get injured last week?

[Stargazer]

@taniwharugby Yes, according to the media release with the team naming he is injured.

[Tim]

@taniwharugby

Halfback Billy Guyton is the halfback cover, replacing the injured Sam Nock.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11809726

[taniwharugby]

@Tim @Stargazer cheers, don't get time to read all articles and usually just skip to team sheets anyway!

[KiwiMurph]

Parsons back playing - that's good. Sounds like on track to make successful return from concussion.

[Tim]

@KiwiMurph link?

EDIT: Here it is - http://theblues.co.nz/development-programme-in-full-flight-as-u20s-prepare-for-canes/

[Tim]

Pretty strong dev team!

1. Sam Prattley, Blues (Auckland)
2. James Parsons, Blues (North Harbour)
3. Marcel Renata, Auckland
4. Josh Goodhue, Blues (Northland)
5. Scott Scrafton, Blues (Auckland)
6. Brandon Nansen, Blues (North Harbour)
7. Murphy Taramai, Blues (North Harbour)
8. Kara Pryor, Blues (Northland)
9. Lisati Milo-Harris, Auckland
10. Bryn Gatland, North Harbour
11. Jordan Hyland, Northland
12. TJ Faiane, Blues (Auckland)
13. Matt Vaega, Blues (North Harbour)
14. Salesi Rayasi, Auckland
15. Jordan Trainor, Auckland
16. Joe Royal, Blues
17. Howard Silioto, Northland
18. Namatahi Waa, Northland
19. Sam Ulufonua, Auckland
20. Hapakuki Moala-Liava’a, North Harbour
21. Herschel Gideon, Auckland
22. William Talataina-Mu, Auckland
23. Pisi Leilua, Auckland