Blues 2019
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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.
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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).
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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.
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Tu'inukuafe
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Parsons (more because of a lack of options)
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Tu'ungafasi
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Tuipulotu
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Goodhue
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Papali'i
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Gibson
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A Ioane
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Pulu (like Parsons a lack of options and a Tana favourite)
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Black
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R Ioane
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SBW
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Aumua
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Nanai (Will probably be Duffie)
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Anyone but Collins but it will be him
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Moulds
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Hodgman
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Mafileo/Renata
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Brown
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Robinson/Sotutu but will be Tupou
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Ruru
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Perofeta
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Nonu
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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 ...
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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.
@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.
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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 ...
@tim Yeah things don't look like changing. Poor recruitment has fucked us (again).
MacDonald and Coventry have a massive task ahead of them.
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Tu'inukuafe
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Parsons (more because of a lack of options)
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Tu'ungafasi
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Tuipulotu
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Goodhue
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Papali'i
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Gibson
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A Ioane
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Pulu (like Parsons a lack of options and a Tana favourite)
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Black
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R Ioane
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SBW
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Aumua
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Nanai (Will probably be Duffie)
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Anyone but Collins but it will be him
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Moulds
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Hodgman
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Mafileo/Renata
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Brown
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Robinson/Sotutu but will be Tupou
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Ruru
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Perofeta
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Nonu
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@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.
@kiwimurph I probably won't bother watching unless they win early matches.
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@kiwimurph He's just having us on. We all know he's gonna try and sneak him back in at 12 once our geriatrics Nonu and SBW break down.
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Unfortunately the Blues still looking the weakest of all the squads,and the biggest thing that stands out is intellect..
This is one of the vagaries of signing guys for 2 x years,if they don’t perform in their first year ,then you are stuck with them for the 2nd year..Leni Apaisi comes to mind,why Micheal Collins was re signed is beyond me ..
Who’s gonna lead this team..?,and I don’t see smarts from August Pulu..
Feel incredibly sorry for Evan Olmstead,but there will be injuries, you only have to mention the Karl Tunukuafe story to realise what can happen if the opportunity arises.. -
Unfortunately the Blues still looking the weakest of all the squads,and the biggest thing that stands out is intellect..
This is one of the vagaries of signing guys for 2 x years,if they don’t perform in their first year ,then you are stuck with them for the 2nd year..Leni Apaisi comes to mind,why Micheal Collins was re signed is beyond me ..
Who’s gonna lead this team..?,and I don’t see smarts from August Pulu..
Feel incredibly sorry for Evan Olmstead,but there will be injuries, you only have to mention the Karl Tunukuafe story to realise what can happen if the opportunity arises..@steven-harris The Sunwolves should be on the phone as we speak to Olmstead and Abel!
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@steven-harris The Sunwolves should be on the phone as we speak to Olmstead and Abel!
Great point. Shit I hope they pick them up.
