Blues 2018

KiwiMurph

Props to Tana for going out and getting Perofeta. He may not turn into 'the guy' but at least you can see the thinking - much better than the go-nowhere journeyman they have brought in previously - Francis and Noakes especially spring to mind. Now what Perofeta needs is game time

KiwiMurph

@taniwharugby

@kiwimurph fair enough...I wasn't meaning specifically at 10 either, if Pulu and/or SBW aren't there you end up with a very inexperienced 9/10/12 axis.

Having someone in the background is always a good thing, Dan Bowden said playing alongside Holwell was invaluable for him (years ago) and his learning (given Bowden saw himself more as a 10)

Yeah my view is the Blues have lacked the proper all around talent at 9/10/12 rather than experience.

Francis was better as a 12 than 10, West didn't have the all round game for a starting 10 (his field kicking game for one), Moala was too limited as a 12, Faiane and SBW have both lacked recent rugby before this year. Pulu's not a traditional 9 and his distribution is slower than ideal.

For my view Gatland is a bit too limited as a 10 so the Blues are better off rolling with Perofeta - he's had a year in the system, he's played the British Lions, he's been part of a Mitre 10 Cup team that's won the round robin and won the Shield.

The good news for the Blues is that Nock, Ruru, Perofeta and Gatland (if Gatland plays?) will all be getting Mitre 10 Cup playoff experience this weekend - it's not exactly Super Rugby but it can only help.

Daffy Jaffy

Intel on players who will not be there next year. The following players profiles have been moved to the Blues website 2017 'past players' page along with those already transferred out..
Matt Vaega
Brandon Nansen
Sam Prattley
Declan O'Donnell
Plus obviously Guyton and Faiva who were already replaced.
I think Tom Robinson may get Nansen's place as he impressed last pre season before his long term injury. Any wish lists or speculations on others?

Tim

@daffy-jaffy Nice find.

Interesting that Taramai isn't on that list. His best position is 7, but there are three good 7s in the squad already (Gibson, Pryor, Papali'i). Really not sure about him covering number 8.

Disappointed to see Vaega has left. Maybe replacing Fekitoa at the Highlanders?

Daffy Jaffy

@tim I was just thinking the same thing. There seems to be many stronger options out there for a loose forward utility. (Matich or especially the fijian guy from Taranaki comes to mind). Maybe Papalii will be developed as an 8-6 he has bulked up alot.
If that list is complete I am also surprised they kept Trainor as he could not even keep a place in the Auckland team and seems a bit frail for super level to me.

Tim

@daffy-jaffy Pretty sure Trainor was signed for 2017 and 18 in 2016.

Halafihi has signed for a French team. Would've been a good option though.

taniwharugby

was hoping Tamati Tua would get a shot for the Blues, he looked on track for a huge season alongside Goodhue until he got injured, and in his brief time after he came back looked strong!

Looks quick enough to cover wing to add some versatility to his mid-field play

Daffy Jaffy

@tim Yes I was aware of that. It was Sowakula that I was thinking of.
It may depend on where they see Tupou as a lock or loose forward.
he may replace Nansen as 5th lock or more likely i think be in the loosies mix.

Daffy Jaffy

@taniwharugby I expect him to make it. He trained with them all last season. They only have SBW, Faiane and Moala at present. Tua would be 'like for like' replacement for Vaega. I wonder if they might also take a punt on young NZ u20 centre Loketi Manu as 5th midfeilder.
They also need 1 tight head and 1 loose head prop which will be important for depth on the bench.

Bovidae

Vaega might find a home at the Chiefs as there are probably spots for 2 other midfielders.

Tim

@daffy-jaffy said in Blues 2018:

young NZ u20 centre Loketi Manu

Are he and Tumua Manu related? They both play for College Rifles.

taniwharugby

@daffy-jaffy are apparently a few franchises having a look at Ross Wright who was very good this season at loosehead.

Namatahi Waa and Howard Sililoto both very good props, but both were injured in week 2 and 5 respecitively.

Waa has been in the Blues system for a couple of seasons too.

Tim

@daffy-jaffy Would expect to see Mike Tamoaieta selected at tighthead? With Marcel Renata in the WTS?

Daffy Jaffy

@tim Tamoaieta started ahead of Mafaleo all season which says something, although I thought his fitness and scrummaging were found out a bit towards the end of the season by more experienced props. But with full time training and coaching he could be good. I like Renata's energy around the field and he is always near the top of tackle counts. However his scrummaging is a major work on and a risk at super level. This Maori tour should be good for him. Would love to get Fahamokoia out of Wellington for loose head. He would be great off the bench. Love those Tongan props. I heard a while ago that Angus Ta'avao did not have a contract. He would bring experience and his scrummaging has been more consistant since being with Taranaki.

Daffy Jaffy

@tim Don't know that sorry, seems likely though.

KiwiMurph

@rocky-rockbottom Exactly this. I really hope this is true. He just straight up is not up to it.

Tim

If the Blues "past players" page is accurate, then the following 34 players are confirmed. Squads can be up to 38 + injury cover + WTG.

Props

Pauliasi Manu
Alex Hodgman
Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Sione Mafileo

Hooker

James Parsons
Matt Moulds
Leni Apisai

Lock

Patrick Tuipulotu
Scott Scrafton
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
Josh Goodhue

Loose Forward

Blake Gibson (7)
Jerome Kaino (6,8)
Akira Ioane (6,8)
Jimmy Tupou (6, lock)
Dalton Papali'i (6, 7)
Kara Pryor (7)
Murphy Taramai (6,7,8)

Halfback

Augustine Pulu
Sam Nock
Jonathan Ruru

1st 5

Stephen Perofeta
Otere Black
Bryn Gatland

Midfield

SBW
George Moala
Rieko Ioane
T.J. Faiane
Matty Johnson

Wing/Fullback

Matt Duffie
Melani Nanai
Michael Collins
Jordan Trainor
Caleb Clarke

Out

Charlie Faumaina
Steven Luatua
Ihaia West
Piers Francis
Rene Ranger
Sam Prattley
Billy Guyton
Declan O'Donnell
Branden Nansen
Matt Vaega

This leaves four players + 1st 5 injury cover to be named. The four are probably a loosehead prop, a tighthead prop, a lock, and a loose forward. Maybe another back in place of lock/loose-forward.

My guesses: Ross Wright (prefer Chris Eves) and Mike Tamoaieta for the props, and Marty McKenzie for replacement 10. Lock and loose-forward I have no idea. For lock I guess Robinson and Frizell might be options. Manihera or Moala-Liava'a at 8.

Tim

Likely XXIII:

Hodgman
Parsons
Tu'ungafasi
Tuipulotu
Scrafton
Kaino
Gibson
Ioane
Pulu
Perofeta
-- now the speculation starts --
Ioane
Faiane
SBW
Nanai
Duffie
-- reserves are more predictable --
Moulds
Manu
Tamoaieta
Cowley-Tuioti
Pryor/Papali'i/Taramai
Nock
Gatland
Moala

Key question for the starting line-up: when is Scrafton back from injury. We rely on him heavily for set piece proficiency and organisation. We need an able replacement for that role.

I really like those tight-five replacements to put some heat on at set-piece in the 2nd half. It'd be great to have a ball-carrying 8 on the bench, especially with Kaino likely to have a lighter workload.

Midfield combo will be a big selection question. A lot of talent outside them.

Pulu's form may be the key. Really hoping for a big year from Nock.

Daffy Jaffy

@tim Tom Robinson may be the 5th lock and my choice for 1st/5 cover would be Jade Te Rure. Just compared Vaega and Johnson's stats for the Mitre 10 and Johnson's stack up pretty well. He made 12 clean breaks to Vaega's 15 with much less game time and in a struggling team. Defense seems to be Vaega's major work on at only 73% (missed 22 tackles), although Johnsons was not perfect at 82%.

Tim

@daffy-jaffy said in Blues 2018:

Tom Robinson

Ah, that's who I meant, not Bond.

The Silver Fern

Blues 2018