Blues 2017
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I think I read that the word is that Otere Black is holding off an announcement til after the Super Rugby season so to not distract.
The fact Otere has not denied the rumours and that were was that article pretty much confirming it in the Herald says to me he's heading to Blues.
For Blues next year they really need to nail down the 12-13 combo. They need one that is going to deliver in big games.
@KiwiMurph If true, I hope Canes are not going to get a back-up for BB from outside its catchment.
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Do we need another lock? We already have 4 young specialists, plus a lock/blindside in the squad. More loose forward cover would be better
@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2017:
For Blues next year they really need to nail down the 12-13 combo. They need one that is going to deliver in big games.
Absolutely, but whatever combo picked will have similar issues if the problems at 9 & 10 aren't sorted.
As usual there's lots of talk about flyhalf but halfback has been an even bigger problem this year. The service from Pulu and Guyton has been abysmal..even when under no pressure.
Nock's delivery seems like a step up. But he really needs to sort out his kicking options during the NPC -
Do we need another lock? We already have 4 young specialists, plus a lock/blindside in the squad. More loose forward cover would be better
@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2017:
For Blues next year they really need to nail down the 12-13 combo. They need one that is going to deliver in big games.
Absolutely, but whatever combo picked will have similar issues if the problems at 9 & 10 aren't sorted.
As usual there's lots of talk about flyhalf but halfback has been an even bigger problem this year. The service from Pulu and Guyton has been abysmal..even when under no pressure.
Nock's delivery seems like a step up. But he really needs to sort out his kicking options during the NPC -
@Duluth Who do you think we might be able to get? I'd love to have a consistent player with a good pass to start, with Pulu playing the last 30 mins.
@Tim said in Blues 2017:
@Duluth Who do you think we might be able to get? I'd love to have a consistent player with a good pass to start, with Pulu playing the last 30 mins.
I'd have a crack at Jack Stratton.
Surprised he hasn't made the crusaders this year. He really leads his club team around the paddock and has an excellent kicking and passing game.
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@Tim said in Blues 2017:
@Duluth Who do you think we might be able to get? I'd love to have a consistent player with a good pass to start, with Pulu playing the last 30 mins.
I'd have a crack at Jack Stratton.
Surprised he hasn't made the crusaders this year. He really leads his club team around the paddock and has an excellent kicking and passing game.
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I think Nock has shown good improvement this year. After coming back from injury he's overtaken Guyton to be the number 2 halfback. I agree on the kicking side of things but I think that will just come from experience - he just needs to keep playing more rugby. I agree ideally Pulu could be the guy to come on with 30 or so left and close games out with his experience and running game.
What i'd like to see is Nock start at 9 and Perofeta at 10 vs the Sunwolves. Those two in combination against a Sunwolves team that likes to play fast on what is usually a fast dry track could be a great combination.
I'd like a loosehead prop to replace Prattley in the squad. Someone with half a brain would be ideal.
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@Tim said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC Cheers. You'd think he'd pick up a contract after his game against the Lions.
Played really well last year for Canterbury too, for some reason didn't get as many opportunities as I thought he deserved.
Doesn't seem to be a Robertson favourite, so may be convinced to leave.
Also watched another Stratton play at 13 for Lincoln a couple of weeks ago, assume he's a younger brother. Looked a good prospect if you're after a centre with good distribution skills.
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I think the halfback slots at the Crusaders were all contractually sewn up by the time Razor took charge, Sammy. Plus Razor seemed to prefer Enari over Stratton for Canterbury, last year.
Leon Fukofuka has barely been sighted this season, though - so I'd be pretty surprised if Enari doesn't take his spot next year. Since he's an Aucklander he'd be quite an obvious one for Tana to at least pass the ruler over.
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@KiwiMurph If true, I hope Canes are not going to get a back-up for BB from outside its catchment.
@Stargazer said in Blues 2017:
@KiwiMurph If true, I hope Canes are not going to get a back-up for BB from outside its catchment.
Tiaan Falcon - we know you want to say it.
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I think the halfback slots at the Crusaders were all contractually sewn up by the time Razor took charge, Sammy. Plus Razor seemed to prefer Enari over Stratton for Canterbury, last year.
Leon Fukofuka has barely been sighted this season, though - so I'd be pretty surprised if Enari doesn't take his spot next year. Since he's an Aucklander he'd be quite an obvious one for Tana to at least pass the ruler over.
@Chris-B. said in Blues 2017:
I think the halfback slots at the Crusaders were all contractually sewn up by the time Razor took charge, Sammy. Plus Razor seemed to prefer Enari over Stratton for Canterbury, last year.
Leon Fukofuka has barely been sighted this season, though - so I'd be pretty surprised if Enari doesn't take his spot next year. Since he's an Aucklander he'd be quite an obvious one for Tana to at least pass the ruler over.
I'd definately be happy to lose Fukofuka instead of Stratton
Although I'm not sure he's the type of halfback @Tim is wanting (one with a decent pass)
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@Chris-B. said in Blues 2017:
I think the halfback slots at the Crusaders were all contractually sewn up by the time Razor took charge, Sammy. Plus Razor seemed to prefer Enari over Stratton for Canterbury, last year.
Leon Fukofuka has barely been sighted this season, though - so I'd be pretty surprised if Enari doesn't take his spot next year. Since he's an Aucklander he'd be quite an obvious one for Tana to at least pass the ruler over.
I'd definately be happy to lose Fukofuka instead of Stratton
Although I'm not sure he's the type of halfback @Tim is wanting (one with a decent pass)
@SammyC Stratton was one of the best players on the park in the Baabaa/Lions game.
Sam Nock is turning 21 soon, and as @KiwiMurph says above is making improvements, he has plenty of time, although with his injuries hasnt really had a decent period to make consistent appearances and press Pulu who has been very up and down.
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@SammyC Stratton was one of the best players on the park in the Baabaa/Lions game.
Sam Nock is turning 21 soon, and as @KiwiMurph says above is making improvements, he has plenty of time, although with his injuries hasnt really had a decent period to make consistent appearances and press Pulu who has been very up and down.
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC Stratton was one of the best players on the park in the Baabaa/Lions game.
Sam Nock is turning 21 soon, and as @KiwiMurph says above is making improvements, he has plenty of time, although with his injuries hasnt really had a decent period to make consistent appearances and press Pulu who has been very up and down.
YeahI think Nock is going to be good in time.... however a Nock/ Otere Black combination is pretty young and inexperienced at present.
I think Stratton would be great paired up with Black, would take some of the pressure off him from a game management point of view.
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@KiwiMurph If true, I hope Canes are not going to get a back-up for BB from outside its catchment.
@Stargazer said in Blues 2017:
@KiwiMurph If true, I hope Canes are not going to get a back-up for BB from outside its catchment.
Super Rugby-hardened Jackson Garden Bachop is from within the region
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC Stratton was one of the best players on the park in the Baabaa/Lions game.
Sam Nock is turning 21 soon, and as @KiwiMurph says above is making improvements, he has plenty of time, although with his injuries hasnt really had a decent period to make consistent appearances and press Pulu who has been very up and down.
YeahI think Nock is going to be good in time.... however a Nock/ Otere Black combination is pretty young and inexperienced at present.
I think Stratton would be great paired up with Black, would take some of the pressure off him from a game management point of view.
@SammyC yeah sometimes with these young guys who get talked about (and up) form schoolboy level when they arent a starter within a couple of seasons people forget they are still so young and some may flourish quicker than others, or like in the case of Nock, he has had a couple of injury concerns too.
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC Stratton was one of the best players on the park in the Baabaa/Lions game.
Sam Nock is turning 21 soon, and as @KiwiMurph says above is making improvements, he has plenty of time, although with his injuries hasnt really had a decent period to make consistent appearances and press Pulu who has been very up and down.
YeahI think Nock is going to be good in time.... however a Nock/ Otere Black combination is pretty young and inexperienced at present.
I think Stratton would be great paired up with Black, would take some of the pressure off him from a game management point of view.
@SammyC said in Blues 2017:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC Stratton was one of the best players on the park in the Baabaa/Lions game.
Sam Nock is turning 21 soon, and as @KiwiMurph says above is making improvements, he has plenty of time, although with his injuries hasnt really had a decent period to make consistent appearances and press Pulu who has been very up and down.
YeahI think Nock is going to be good in time.... however a Nock/ Otere Black combination is pretty young and inexperienced at present.
I think Stratton would be great paired up with Black, would take some of the pressure off him from a game management point of view.
Wouldnt a Stratton-Black pairing be just an iinexperienced as a Nock-Black pairing?
I'd like to see Milo-Harris in the Auckland setup this year - watching Jono Hickey is like torture.
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@SammyC said in Blues 2017:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC Stratton was one of the best players on the park in the Baabaa/Lions game.
Sam Nock is turning 21 soon, and as @KiwiMurph says above is making improvements, he has plenty of time, although with his injuries hasnt really had a decent period to make consistent appearances and press Pulu who has been very up and down.
YeahI think Nock is going to be good in time.... however a Nock/ Otere Black combination is pretty young and inexperienced at present.
I think Stratton would be great paired up with Black, would take some of the pressure off him from a game management point of view.
Wouldnt a Stratton-Black pairing be just an iinexperienced as a Nock-Black pairing?
I'd like to see Milo-Harris in the Auckland setup this year - watching Jono Hickey is like torture.
@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC said in Blues 2017:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC Stratton was one of the best players on the park in the Baabaa/Lions game.
Sam Nock is turning 21 soon, and as @KiwiMurph says above is making improvements, he has plenty of time, although with his injuries hasnt really had a decent period to make consistent appearances and press Pulu who has been very up and down.
YeahI think Nock is going to be good in time.... however a Nock/ Otere Black combination is pretty young and inexperienced at present.
I think Stratton would be great paired up with Black, would take some of the pressure off him from a game management point of view.
Wouldnt a Stratton-Black pairing be just an iinexperienced as a Nock-Black pairing?
I think Stratton is far more advanced from a game management perspective.. As I mentioned earlier he's a real leader at club level. Captains and steers his team around the park.
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@SammyC said in Blues 2017:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC Stratton was one of the best players on the park in the Baabaa/Lions game.
Sam Nock is turning 21 soon, and as @KiwiMurph says above is making improvements, he has plenty of time, although with his injuries hasnt really had a decent period to make consistent appearances and press Pulu who has been very up and down.
YeahI think Nock is going to be good in time.... however a Nock/ Otere Black combination is pretty young and inexperienced at present.
I think Stratton would be great paired up with Black, would take some of the pressure off him from a game management point of view.
Wouldnt a Stratton-Black pairing be just an iinexperienced as a Nock-Black pairing?
I'd like to see Milo-Harris in the Auckland setup this year - watching Jono Hickey is like torture.
@KiwiMurph Man, I wish that Auckland Rugby would do some fan engagement. Like a weekly video on club rugby highlights, and the coaches talking about performances or players to watch out for.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC said in Blues 2017:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC Stratton was one of the best players on the park in the Baabaa/Lions game.
Sam Nock is turning 21 soon, and as @KiwiMurph says above is making improvements, he has plenty of time, although with his injuries hasnt really had a decent period to make consistent appearances and press Pulu who has been very up and down.
YeahI think Nock is going to be good in time.... however a Nock/ Otere Black combination is pretty young and inexperienced at present.
I think Stratton would be great paired up with Black, would take some of the pressure off him from a game management point of view.
Wouldnt a Stratton-Black pairing be just an iinexperienced as a Nock-Black pairing?
I think Stratton is far more advanced from a game management perspective.. As I mentioned earlier he's a real leader at club level. Captains and steers his team around the park.
@SammyC although in this case, with Nock being at the Blues, he doesnt get to play for his club much (which is where eh would probably learn a shitload too) if at all, and he was an age group captain too wasnt he, so he has the tools, just needs to use them in the big boys club!
Would think if he remains uninjured, he should really push Pulu next season though.
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@KiwiMurph Man, I wish that Auckland Rugby would do some fan engagement. Like a weekly video on club rugby highlights, and the coaches talking about performances or players to watch out for.
@Tim said in Blues 2017:
@KiwiMurph Man, I wish that Auckland Rugby would do some fan engagement. Like a weekly video on club rugby highlights, and the coaches talking about performances or players to watch out for.
The time and effort put into the Auckland Rugby's secondary schools youtube channel would be better spent on club rugby
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@SammyC although in this case, with Nock being at the Blues, he doesnt get to play for his club much (which is where eh would probably learn a shitload too) if at all, and he was an age group captain too wasnt he, so he has the tools, just needs to use them in the big boys club!
Would think if he remains uninjured, he should really push Pulu next season though.
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2017:
@SammyC although in this case, with Nock being at the Blues, he doesnt get to play for his club much, if at all, and he was an age group captain too wasnt he, so he has the tools, just needs to use them in the big boys club!
Bryn Hall was under 20's captain too
perhaps you could take him backI agree with you, Nock is a good player. But jeez I'd be frustrated with Pulu if I actually cared about the Blues though, he kills so much good fast ball by standing at the back of the ruck thinking about what to do.
Anyway, I'm done discussing the Blues problems. Only jumped on here because I like Stratton and feel he deserves an opportunity somewhere.
