Blues 2019

[Daffy Jaffy]

@tim I see Lewis Gjaltema and Mike Tamoaieta there. Does anyone recognise the front row looking guy between Umaga and Mafileo?

[Tim]

@daffy-jaffy Looks like Jarred Adams and Marco Fepulea'i might be in there? Be interested if someone could spot Lua Li.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@tim I can't pick out Adams or Fepulea'i in the team photo. I have spotted Harrison Groundwater. I think the prop that I could not identify may well be Lua Li as you wondered. Seems to be a lot of 'extra' North Harbour players with the team this week.

[KiwiMurph]

Players are named here

https://theblues.co.nz/replacement-players-assemble-for-preseason/?fbclid=IwAR1n2HQ0TTQJwwpdbZU8q_Pif-i0l02fdr0Uphtt_v7DtfdBtkcpui2kizA

The 13 current replacement players are Mikey Tamoaieta (North Harbour), Luatangi Li (North Harbour), Danny Drake (North Harbour), Evan Olmstead (Auckland), Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa (Auckland), Matt Matich (Northland), Jono Kitto (Northland), Lewis Gjaltema (North Harbour), Jack Heighton  (North Harbour), Harrison Groundwater (North Harbour) Hawaii Ahokovi (Auckland), Tomas Aoake ( Ta$man) and Mark Telea (North Harbour).

In addition to the replacement group, two young players from the Blues Under-20s who have recently been selected for the New Zealand Under-20 training squad, will join the Blues for 10 weeks fulltime training as part of the Interim Training Contract scheme. They are Rob Cobb (Auckland) and Brad McNaughten (North Harbour). Scott Gregory (Northland) is currently with the NZ Sevens team.

[Daffy Jaffy]

This post is deleted!

[taniwharugby]

@daffy-jaffy I'd have taken Ross Wright over Tamoaieta, added versatility of playing hooker.

But then I am bias

[Duluth]

@taniwharugby @Daffy-Jaffy

Is there an enforced break after the NZ Maori tour? That might explain Abel and Wright not being there?

Agree that there are a couple of weird Hanks selections though

[taniwharugby]

@duluth said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):

@taniwharugby @Daffy-Jaffy

Is there an enforced break after the NZ Maori tour? That might explain Abel and Wright not being there?

Agree that there are a couple of weird Hanks selections though

Does he have a weekly quota?

[Tim]

@daffy-jaffy Lua Li overtook Chris Eves and Mayhew at Harbour, so has some potential. Would like to see the Auckland props in there though. Wonder if they are committed to Auckland's February/March tour?

[Tim]

@daffy-jaffy Heighton plays 9 and 10, and is in the squad for this month's New Zealand Under 20 development camp. He's been in Blues youth teams, including the colts this year. Plays for ECB.

[Tim]

Anyone know what Junior Tonu'u's boy is up to? Apparently he was one of the best at the 2017 NZ U19 tournament. Plays halfback.

[taniwharugby]

Tuipulotu and Gibson named as captains.

[Tim]

Both co-captains in the forwards, or both injury prone?

[KiwiMurph]

Good - both players are certain starters and should be.

[Duluth]

[taniwharugby]

@tim didnt both co-captains spend decent chunks of last year on the sidelines too?

[Bovidae]

@kiwimurph said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):

Good - both players are certain starters and should be.

And who won't be certain starters...

[Tim]

@taniwharugby Yep.

[Kirwan]

@bovidae said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):

@kiwimurph said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):

Good - both players are certain starters and should be.

And who won't be certain starters...

First of Tana’s mistakes rolled back.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Good to see the team having fun with the announcement.

https://www.facebook.com/theblues/videos/341765293072566/