Blues 2019

[Tim]

@Daffy-Jaffy Anything of specific interest in that video?

[Bones]

@Tim so, from skim reading:

1. Blues have been a bit poop in the past and have a tough row to hoe to do better.
2. We'll know how good Nonu is after we've seen him play.

Is that it? Well that's turned my world upside down.

[Tim]

@Bones Yeah, Wynn Grey is the master of stating the obvious.

[KiwiMurph]

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

@Daffy-Jaffy Anything of specific interest in that video?

Not particularly. Papalii comes across as lot more comfortable in front of the camera than captain Tuipulotu. Of course Ali Williams was super comfortable in front of the camera and was a shithouse captain.

[Steven Harris]

@Tim just wish Wynn would just move on..like some Journlists they all become rather predictable..

[Tim]

Blues Under 20s team named to play Hurricanes Under 20s in Palmerston North:
1 Leon Thambiran
2 Ollie Shepherd
3 Rob Cobb (cc)
4 Max Hicks
5 Kalin Felise
6 Rob Rush
7 Tamarau McGahan
8 Tovo Faleafa
9 Brad McNaughten (cc)
10 Zarn Sullivan
11 Heremaia Murray
12 Nikau Graham
13 Lemeki Namoa
14 Jack Gray
15 John Cooper

16 Soane Vikena
17 Leka Tu'ungafasi
18 Hamdahn Tuipulotu
19 Felix Kalapu
20 Noah Perelini
21 Taufa Funaki
22 Kakau Muli
23 Lewini Mocevakaca
24 Junior Mautitia
25 Cameron Hey
26 Isi Manu
27 Meli Turugaca
28 Te Ariki Te Puni
29 Sean Vete
30 Joel Cobb

[Kirwan]

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

Zarn Sullivan

Great Flash Gordon-esque name.

[KiwiMurph]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12201851

[Daffy Jaffy]

This post is deleted!

[Kirwan]

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

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12201851

These guys and the recruitment guy, who's name I forget, should also be included in the clearout for sure.

[KiwiMurph]

@Kirwan the High Performance guy Hanks is the recruitment guy.

[Kirwan]

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

@Kirwan the High Performance guy Hanks is the recruitment guy.

Right, the most ironic job title in the blues for the last five years.

[nzzp]

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

NZ Herald link

This is what a good board does. Makes changes. Shows how Hart and MacKinnon seem to be making a real difference. Fark mid season reappointments of coaches who aren't performing ... the broom's out, and it feels good at last

[Daffy Jaffy]

STARTING XV:
1 Alex Hodgman
2 Leni Apisai
3 Sione Mafileo
4 Josh Goodhue
5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
6 Tom Robinson
7 Matt Matich
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Augustine Pulu
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Tanielu Tele’a
12 TJ Faiane
13 Ma’a Nonu
14 Melani Nanai
15 Michael Collins

REPLACEMENTS:
Marcel Renata
Matt Moulds
Mike Tamoaieta
James Tucker
Evan Olmstead
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Adrian Choat
Jack Grooby
Jonathan Ruru
Otere Black
Caleb Clarke
Levi Aumua
Harry Plummer
Tomas Aoake

[Duluth]

13 Ma’a Nonu

Interesting

SBW is vice captain and TJ had a great NPC. Maybe this is where Nonu will be used?

[KiwiMurph]

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

13 Ma’a Nonu

Interesting

SBW is vice captain and TJ had a great NPC. Maybe this is where Nonu will be used?

I think so. There's not a lot of other options. It has been made clear Rieko will be a wing first, Aumua and Tele'a have very little Super Rugby experience.

Speaking of Tele'a interesting to see him on the wing.

Matich seems to be leading the race to be the cover whilst Gibson is out.

[number9]

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

STARTING XV:
1 Alex Hodgman
2 Leni Apisai
3 Sione Mafileo
4 Josh Goodhue
5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
6 Tom Robinson
7 Matt Matich
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Augustine Pulu
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Tanielu Tele’a
12 TJ Faiane
13 Ma’a Nonu
14 Melani Nanai
15 Michael Collins

REPLACEMENTS:
Marcel Renata
Matt Moulds
Mike Tamoaieta
James Tucker
Evan Olmstead
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Adrian Choat
Jack Grooby
Jonathan Ruru
Otere Black
Caleb Clarke
Levi Aumua
Harry Plummer
Tomas Aoake

Stong Team just don't like our 9,10 and 15 combinations. Would have preferred 9-Ruru, 10-Otere and 15-Perofeta as a a starting lineup.

[Tim]

On Instagram it looked like Tamoaieta was packing down at loosehead, so I guess that he and Renata are both covering both sides of the scrum.

[Tim]

@Duluth Yeah, this is the most interesting aspect of the selection. Looks like they'll start the Crusaders game with Faiane and Nonu, with SBW on the bench?

If Perofeta is at 15, will they have three backs on the bench, or use an extra forward?

[Tim]

Interesting that Nock, Scrafton, and Pierce aren't getting game time, despite training with the team. Wonder if they're still finishing injury rehab?

That would explain the presence of Grooby, Tucker, and Riedlinger-Kapa. Although one of those two locks could be cover for Tuipulotu.