Blues 2019

[Tim]

One thing that's going to count against Fukofuka is that he played for Tonga last year.

[Stargazer]

@tim ... and will again this year.

[Nogusta]

@stargazer said in Blues 2019:

@tim ... and will again this year.

Yep - will be playing for them on their November tour then taking up a French contract

[Stargazer]

@nogusta Which club?

[Nogusta]

@stargazer Not too sure. Was sitting near his mum on Saturday who mentioned.

[Daffy Jaffy]

So far with 3 squads named the blues region has got away lightly only loosing Rayasi and Manu to other franchises, and probably Whetton to the Highlanders.

[Duluth]

http://theblues.co.nz/blues-promote-from-within-for-2019/

Front row: Leni Apisai, Alex Hodgman, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Sione Mafileo, Matt Moulds, James Parsons, Marcel Renata, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tu’ungafasi,

Locks: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Jacob Pierce, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu.

Loose forwards: Jed Brown, Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Hoskins Sotutu, Jimmy Tupou.

Halfbacks: Sam Nock, Augustine Pulu, Jonathan Ruru.

First-five: Otere Black, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer

Midfield: Levi Aumua, TJ Faiane, Ma’a Nonu, Tanielu Tele’a, Sonny Bill Williams.

Outside Backs: Caleb Clarke, Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, Melani Nanai, Jordan Trainor

---

Out: Bryn Gatland (Highlanders), Jerome Kaino (Toulouse), Pauliasi Manu (Hino, Japan), George Moala (Clement Auvergne), Glenn Preston, Kara Pryor, Isaac Salmon, Mike Tamoaieta, Murphy Taramai, Dan Kirkpatrick, Matt Johnson.

In: (Karl Tu’inukuafe (Chiefs), Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Blues Development – Auckland), Jacob Pierce (Blues Development – North Harbour), Ma’a Nonu (Toulon), Marcel Renata (Hurricanes), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues Development – Auckland), Harry Plummer (Blues Development – Auckland), Tanielu Tele’a (Blues Development – Auckland), Tom Robinson (Northland), Jed Brown ( Ta$man), Levi Aumua ( Ta$man).

Unavailable for selection: Tamati Tua (injury), Sione Havili (injury), Scott Gregory (Sevens/U20s).

[Tim]

No Olmsted or Abel. Jacob Pierce was 4th choice at Harbour this year - incredibly lucky.

Don't rate Aumua at all. Losing Manu a massive blow. Talea not ready for this level.

Could've done with Rayasi. Collins a waste of space.

Problems at hooker, halfback, centre, and no clear choice at fullback. No backup 8 with any experience.

Not a good squad.

[Bovidae]

The Blues could pick a large, bruising midfield lacking pace.

Coventry didn't show any love to his NH boys.

[Duluth]

On a positive note, the Blues Dev team will be good

[African Monkey]

1. Tu'inukuafe

2. Parsons (more because of a lack of options)

3. Tu'ungafasi

4. Tuipulotu

5. Goodhue

6. Papali'i

7. Gibson

8. A Ioane

9. Pulu (like Parsons a lack of options and a Tana favourite)

10. Black

11. R Ioane

12. SBW

13. Aumua

14. Nanai (Will probably be Duffie)

15. Anyone but Collins but it will be him

16. Moulds

17. Hodgman

18. Mafileo/Renata

19. Brown

20. Robinson/Sotutu but will be Tupou

21. Ruru

22. Perofeta

23. Nonu

[Tim]

Only things I'm happy about are the props.

Really haven't improved over last year. Still no centre, no new kicking options in midfield or the back three from exits, no class at halfback, very average hookers. Ioane only decent centre option, which will leave wings lacking power.

Gutted for Olmstead. Pierce over Whetton ...

[Machpants]

So Scott Gregory is unavailable for Blues (U20/7s), and unavailable for U20s (SR/7s) - he's in the 7s team???

[KiwiMurph]

@tim pretty good summary.

On the positive side I'm glad Trainor made it and i'm pleased with Lindenmuth and Renata.

Way too many average players - namely Apisai, Collins, Nock, Pulu, all 3 hookers.

Tana to get fired - hopefully Hanks and the CEO too. Squad cleanout to occur for next year.

[African Monkey]

@tim Yeah things don't look like changing. Poor recruitment has fucked us (again).

MacDonald and Coventry have a massive task ahead of them.

[KiwiMurph]

Some more interesting notes - Rieko to play on the wing and Harry Plummer is heading over to London for a few weeks to work with Nick Evans and Harlequins.

[Tim]

Best team they could put on the park:

1. Tu'inukuafe

2. Parsons

3. Tu'ungafasi

4. Tuipulotu

5. Scrafton

6. Papali'i

7. Gibson

8. A Ioane

9. Pulu

10. Black

11. Clarke

12. SBW

13. R Ioane

14. Nanai

15. Trainor

16. Moulds

17. Hodgman

18. Mafileo/Renata

19. Goodhue/Cowley-Tuioti

20. Robinson/Sotutu

21. Ruru

22. Perofeta

23. Nonu

[Tim]

@kiwimurph I probably won't bother watching unless they win early matches.

[Hooroo]

How come Ioane won't be on the wing? Surely Nonu and SBW midfield?

[KiwiMurph]

@hooroo Rieko will be on the wing. Tana said it himself today.