Blues 2019
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@Nogusta Some interesting names in that squad.
Wonder of we'll see Funaki get a run in the NPC this year?
@Tim With Leon Fukofuka gone we probably will see him get a run. Auckland and Blues have HUGE wraps on him.
Lindenmuth, Tupou, Jed Brown, Clarke, Duffie all making returns from injury. William Havili - younger brother of David Havili so McDonald wouldve had something to do with his being up here. Ahokovi was one of the best on field the last Blues A game against the Hurricanes. Zarn Sullivan brother of Chiefs Bailyn Sullivan.
Thats a decent backline there. -
@Tim With Leon Fukofuka gone we probably will see him get a run. Auckland and Blues have HUGE wraps on him.
Lindenmuth, Tupou, Jed Brown, Clarke, Duffie all making returns from injury. William Havili - younger brother of David Havili so McDonald wouldve had something to do with his being up here. Ahokovi was one of the best on field the last Blues A game against the Hurricanes. Zarn Sullivan brother of Chiefs Bailyn Sullivan.
Thats a decent backline there. -
@Nogusta And looks like Ben Nee-Nee is the injury replacement for Goodhue/Pierce.
Any word on how long Goodhue is out for?
@Tim not too sure bout that. Cameron Suafoa also brought in to cover lock/loose forward. Has been training with the Blues the poast couple of weeks. Big strong ball running forward, decent lineout option. Member of the winning Akl U19s team in 2017. Was in strong contention for the NZ20s last year but a dislocated shoulder in preseason scuppered that. Counties Manukau were very keen on him this year for Mitre 10 but hes opted to stay in Auckland on a lesser deal.
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So, I've been thinking about our season so far, and what success will look like. It's not winning the comp, or even making the playoffs - I think our bar is lower than that. We've lost a game we should have won (Crusaders). Got smoked physically by teh Shorks, and then played stupid rugby against the Jaguares.
Since coming home, though, we've shown resilience. I don't think we've played well, and our set piece is a real worry, but we're playing with some heart, commitment and the semblence of a team pattern. I like it a lot.
For me, if we can achieve the following 5 things in the rest of the comp I'd be happy.
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Figure out who our 9-10 is. And stick with them. And if the 9 isn't in the squad, then make damn sure we find a prospect. I've been impressed with Ruru generally, but he's no superstar.
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Keep up the coaching.
Self evident, but you're seeing a good coach get the best out of the players. Nanai looks a different player to the one Tana and JK had. Players seem to be growing and know what their roles are - and the longer good coaches have players, the better they seem to get. -
Stop losing players
anyone really think Nanai would be going overseas if he'd had these coaches last season? Good coaches will retain talent... it's a 2-4 year timeline for us to plug gaps and develop players. Auckland region has the players in the borders - we just have to be credible as a place to play to attract the good ones. -
Identify gaps in the squad, and fill them
I think previous coaches could do the first, but not the second. I mean, who'd go to the Blues? Once we get credibility back, we're a long way down that path. -
Finish the year on the up
We're going to drop some games in a stupid way I think - but all we need going into the offseason is to have some momentum and belief that we're getting better and going to be more competitive next year.
All this, of course, is predicated on the Board continuing to do a good job and sort out teh front office. It's great to see, and I think if they keep this up they'll lay foundations for a long term healthy organisation.
To be clear - we're a very very long way from the finished product, but I am pretty happy with the progress I'm seeing. Now I'm just waiting for a catstrophic injury or two, and a classic implosion
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https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/rieko-ioane-free-face-waratahs-all-blacks-rest-delayed
Blues winger Rieko Ioane appears to have found a loophole in the All Blacks’ 2019 Super Rugby rest policy, training today to face the Waratahs at Eden Park on Saturday. With All Blacks players under orders not to play more than six straight matches leading into this year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan, Ioane appeared to have reached his consecutive match limit after last weekend’s victory over the Stormers. However, 1 NEWS understands that with the Blues’ bye round falling between March 9-22, the six game limit has been reset, allowing for Ioane to face the Waratahs this weekend. As a result, Ioane was pictured in full training for the Blues today, put through his paces in preparation to face the New South Wales franchise.@KiwiMurph it's a shame the bye week didn't apply in the case of Tele'as suspension! Its really a 5 week suspension if he can only return on 10th May.
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A puff piece on Caleb Clarke. That was a great comeback match after injury and a couple of sub par games last year. The try celebration was a good touch
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12220345
https://twitter.com/BluesRugbyTeam/status/1115001317863317506
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@Stargazer they must be enjoying their time in the environment eh
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@nzzp It's really good news. Gives some stability in the squad. You'd have to wonder for how many years they've re-signed Parsons though. No media release on the website yet.
@Stargazer said in Blues 2019:
@nzzp It's really good news. Gives some stability in the squad. You'd have to wonder for how many years they've re-signed Parsons though. No media release on the website yet.
aw crap, missed that.
I like Parsons, but he's physically too small for this level. God loves a trier, but he just gets ragdolled too often
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The Super Seven comprise James Parsons, TJ Faiane, Sione Mafileo, Otere Black, Tom Robinson and Stephen Perofeta, who will continue at the Blues until 2021, while young star Caleb Clarke has signed until 2022.
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I have no problem with Parsons getting another contract. 15 hookers get contracts and to be honest there aren't 15 good options in NZ
Hopefully we recruit another one and he drops back to 2nd or 3rd choice
@Duluth yep thats the thing...he is a great guy to have in your squad, but no way should he be starting week in week out and then getting anywhere near as many minutes as he does.
As I said in the Blues/tahs thread, he is a trier, he gets through alot of work, is reasonably accurate but is pretty passive, doesnt get beyond the gain line much, makes alot of tackles, but these are almost like he is just a speed bump tripping the guy over
...he is 3rd top tackler for the Blues...that said, Blues seem content to continue using him as a ball runner despite his lack of punch... -
@Duluth yep thats the thing...he is a great guy to have in your squad, but no way should he be starting week in week out and then getting anywhere near as many minutes as he does.
As I said in the Blues/tahs thread, he is a trier, he gets through alot of work, is reasonably accurate but is pretty passive, doesnt get beyond the gain line much, makes alot of tackles, but these are almost like he is just a speed bump tripping the guy over
...he is 3rd top tackler for the Blues...that said, Blues seem content to continue using him as a ball runner despite his lack of punch...@taniwharugby said in Blues 2019:
but no way should he be starting week in week out and then getting anywhere near as many minutes as he does.
I agree
But this just suggests that MacDonald isn't happy with the other options in the squad he inherited. Next year there is no excuse.
