Blues 2019

[Tim]

Additional player possibilities:

(Let me know if they are unavailable, opinions on the players or suggestions of other players welcome.)

Another TH x2

Marcel Renata, Mike Tamoaieta, Sione Mafileo, Isaac Salmon, Angus Ta'avao

Another LH

Ezekial Lindenmuth, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ross Wright, Jack Straker

Another Hooker

James Parsons, Ross Wright, Kurt Eklund

Another Lock or Lock/6

Quentin Strange, Scott Pierce, Ben Nee Nee, Mitchell Dunshea

Another 6 or 8

Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Pita Gus Sowakula, Mitchell Dunshea, Sam Slade

Another 7

Sione Havili, Kara Pryor, Jed Brown, Billy Harmon

Another Halfback x2

Jack Stratton, Jonathan Ruru, Carlos Price, Bryn Hall, Lewis Gjaltema, Ere Enari, Richard Judd, Nico Costa

Another Midfielder

Tamati Tua, T.J. Faiane, Matty Johnson, Matt Vaega, Michael Little

Another Fullback

Shaun Stevenson

[Crucial]

Pickings look slim when you aren't the franchise of choice.

[Northlandallday]

@tim Shaun Stevenson? somehow I doubt he's not already signed to chiefs. If not he would make a great addition to the Blues.

[Tim]

@northlandallday said in Blues 2019:

Shaun Stevenson

Yeah, that's who I meant. As far as I know he is only signed to the end of this season for the Chiefs.

His contract with the Chiefs runs through to 2018, as it does with North Harbour - the province of his roots who he'll play for this season after two years with Waikato.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/89684040/shaun-stevenson-targets-an-all-blacks-jersey-ahead-of-a-big-year-with-the-chiefs

[Crucial]

Stevenson an example of a Blues area player (was an U18 Blues player) that had to leave to get a chance. At least a few are starting to drift back.

[Chris]

@Tim Ere Enari. signed until the end of 2019 with Crusaders

[link text](link url)https://crusaders.co.nz/news/1156-enari-ruled-out-of-debut-super-rugby-season

[Tim]

@chris Thanks dude.

[Chris]

@Tim No worries Mate keep up the good work

[mimic]

@crucial said in Blues 2019:

@nzzp said in Blues 2019:

@stargazer said in Blues 2019:

@crucial You'd have to assume that Black will start and Perofeta will end up on the bench. Don't think Plummer will play that much in his first year?

Not any more. You'd have to see how they go in preseason, after Perofeta has ad a full season at the helm. That's more than Otere I think.

I don't particularly care which one gets the nod -- they have to be better than some of the 10s we've had recently

Yeah. I just think it will be an interesting dynamic and at least one of the three will look to take their ambitions elsewhere depending on what happens. At the moment (according to that list) Perofeta isn't signed up yet. Will he commit for more than one year to keep options open?
There's also the question of whether their may be a spot in 2020 at the Highlanders. Will Gatland be the answer for them or will they be looking for someone else.

If I were the Blues I'd sign him up. Even if he doesn't manage to lock up the #10 jersey, I'd rather have him at fullback than Collins..
I'm sure as a first five, Perofeta has solid communication skills as well.. And we all know he can run, and has more pace the Collins.. Will also have the added bonus of being a 2nd playmaker from fullback

[Northlandallday]

@tim said in Blues 2019:

@northlandallday said in Blues 2019:

Shaun Stevenson

Yeah, that's who I meant. As far as I know he is only signed to the end of this season for the Chiefs.

That's the problem the franchises are very haphazard with their contract announcements. Some they announce and others they don't, it's weird. Social media isn't their strongest suit. Others will be deep in negotiations about now.

[Crucial]

@northlandallday said in Blues 2019:

@tim said in Blues 2019:

@northlandallday said in Blues 2019:

Shaun Stevenson

Yeah, that's who I meant. As far as I know he is only signed to the end of this season for the Chiefs.

That's the problem the franchises are very haphazard with their contract announcements. Some they announce and others they don't, it's weird. Social media isn't their strongest suit. Others will be deep in negotiations about now.

I don't think players are actually obliged to have their employment conditions publicised. Maybe they need to have their permission asked? Most say it isn't a problem then it can be referred to. Some just slip through the cracks as a minor signing that no amount of googling can find then it becomes a little sensitive when negotiations are going on.

[Kiwidom]

@tim No Akira Ioane on that list , is he off contract soon ? A mate spotted him in a Wellington hotel yesterday with the Canes coaches. He could be the replacement for Brad Shields for next season

[African Monkey]

@kiwidom I was thinking that. Certainly wouldn't suprise me if it happened.

[Tim]

@kiwidom Both Ioane's are only contracted to the end of this year.

[Hooroo]

@tim said in Blues 2019:

@kiwidom Both Ioane's are only contracted to the end of this year.

I see Reiko is linked with the Chiefs too.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I can't back that up

[taniwharugby]

@hooroo

[Tim]

If we've got the Ioanes, then recruitment priorities become a bit clearer.

1 Hooker
Karl Tu’inukuafe
1 Tighthead
1 Blindside
1 Number 8
1 Halfback
1 2nd 5
1 Centre
1 Fullback/Wing - Shaun Stevenson

Depending on injuries we might need another set-piece lock.

[booboo]

@tim said in Blues 2019:

If we've got the Ioanes, then recruitment priorities become a bit clearer.

1 Hooker
Karl Tu’inukuafe
1 Tighthead
1 Blindside
1 Number 8
1 Halfback
1 2nd 5
1 Centre
1 Fullback/Wing

Depending on injuries we might need another set-piece lock.

Fuck off Aucklander

[Tim]

@booboo He's a Takapuna boy!

[Duluth]

@tim

A commentator this weekend suggested he was going “south”. I presume that meant the Highlanders