Blues 2019

[Daffy Jaffy]

A look at the possible 16 aucklanders in the Blues.
Certainties:
Tu'ungafasi
Scrafton
Tuipulotu
Papalii
Gibson​​​​​​​
A Ioane
Sotutu
Plummer
Faiane
Nanai
Clarke
R Ioane
Tele'a.

That leaves spots for 3 of:
Trainor
Olmstead
Abel
Ruru
Renata
Lindenmuth
I Think Ruru is likely so really only 2 spots. Anyone I missed?
This is accepting that Manu, Whetton, Rayasi are signed elsewhere as rumored.

[Chris]

@yeetyaah maybe Renata instead of Abel

[Tim]

@yeetyaah Manu is going to have a blinder when the Chiefs beat us.

Ruru might be a bit like Billy Guiton - important leader at NPC level, but too slow in execution at Super Rugby level.

[Tim]

Lindenmuth is another chance. Wonder if the Crusaders will be interested again?

[Nogusta]

@daffy-jaffy gee I thought both Matt Johnson and Tamati Tua both had a year to go in their contracts as well? Tele'a (and Sotutu) are on draft contracts (what used to be WTG) I believe for 2019 and going on to full for 2020. Plummer full contract for 2019 and 2020. Scott Gregory an ITC (Interim training contract).

[Tim]

@nogusta said in Blues 2019:

Matt Johnson and Tamati Tua

Thought they were both on one year contracts, but not sure.

[Steven Harris]

@daffy-jaffy I doubt wether Pryor would be around next season,to be honest he’s been piss poor for Northland in the last 2 x seasons and I suspect his player review will not be that flattering..

Gibson and Papalii would be my first choice 7s for the Blues even if Dalton is in the 6 jersey..
With Dylan Hunt having moved back to Harbour,is he an option as a 3rd 7..

[Tim]

@steven-harris Hunt is signed with the Highlanders for next year.

[Tim]

All I can find on Johnson is this article that only mentions 2018:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/98415521/rookie-southland-stags-midfielder-matty-johnson-joins-blues-for-2018-super-rugby-campaign

[Steven Harris]

@tim would not have either of them..The guy who has impressed me in a poor team this year is Raymond Nu’u the midfield back from Southland..has got brilliant footwork and is a genuine line breaker, gave Laumape all sorts of problems when the Stags played the Turbos in the last game of the season..
Originally out of the Canterbury system.

[Tim]

From the Newsroom article about his surgery etc:

When that confidence returns, Johnson looks a good bet to push for a return to the Blues.

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/@sportsroom/2018/08/12/188451/the-disappearance-and-return-of-matt-johnson

[Chris]

@steven-harris Yes Nu'u is a Canterbury player who has always been a standout in CHCH club rugby I was shocked we signed 2 plonders in Beard and Burleigh and let Nu'u go Hopefully Razor is smarter than Maddocks

[Steven Harris]

@chris I reckon Nu’u will pick up a contract with ether the Landers or the Saders.

[Chris]

@steven-harris From my point of view I hope its the Crusaders I am glad you took notice of him I was gutted we didn't pick him for Canterbury and used cart horses in midfield always thought he was a talent.

[African Monkey]

@steven-harris Maybe a bit early for a SR contract for him. However, a big provincial season (for Canterbury or Southland) could get him a start somewhere for 2020.

[chchfanatic]

@chris Canterbury has Rameka Poihipi ready to go at 12 and then he blew his knee out. Had already loaned nuu out. That why Burleigh got a chance. Beard is just terrible.

[Bovidae]

So I assume each franchise can still retain developmental players in addition to the 38 contracted squad members? That may explain some of the names mentioned when there doesn't appear to be a place for them in the main squad.

[chchfanatic]

@steven-harris Tom Christie was nearly going to blues. Razor talked him out of it. He’ll probably be 3-4 choice at crusaders

[Stargazer]

@tim Matt Johnson was indeed only signed for 2018. I've never seen an official announcement including the duration of Tua's contract.

[Steven Harris]

@chchfanatic not entirely sure about Christie,can actually see why Billy Harmon was selected ahead of him..