Blues 2019
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@Tim Abel’s good, it’s just not who I believe they were chasing.
@Northlandallday So who are they chasing?
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@taniwharugby
Greg PT is back to playing post surgery recovery, so maybe he’s looking for a spot somewhere.
Then again Olsen played really well when Moulds was injured so I’d be happy seeing him get the start and even captaincy, if required. But....... is he going to WC with Canada?@Northlandallday Pleasants-Tate has just been named in the Southland Stags training squad.
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@Northlandallday Pleasants-Tate has just been named in the Southland Stags training squad.
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2019:
Pleasants-Tate has just been named in the Southland Stags training squad.
That’s his 5th NPC side
BOP, NH, Auckland, Canterbury & Southland
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2019:
Pleasants-Tate has just been named in the Southland Stags training squad.
That’s his 5th NPC side
BOP, NH, Auckland, Canterbury & Southland
@Duluth said in Blues 2019:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2019:
Pleasants-Tate has just been named in the Southland Stags training squad.
That’s his 5th NPC side
BOP, NH, Auckland, Canterbury & Southland
Is he just searching for quality playing time?
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Not so sure that I agree that getting rid of Tuipolotu is a good idea. But, the rest of the argument is interesting - given that it basically revolves around getting rid of Parsons
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Not so sure that I agree that getting rid of Tuipolotu is a good idea. But, the rest of the argument is interesting - given that it basically revolves around getting rid of Parsons
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@gt12 May also need to realign tactics to make better use of a big, ball carrying pack.
Would be interesting to see the difference that the high workrate of Scrafton makes. Also, playing combinations of Hodgman/OfaT and KarlT/Renata.
@Tim Yep, essentially just saying that bringing in some structure (i.e., a bit of fucking coaching) can get them part way there. That's an improvement, but Panadol will also have to work out how to use some of the new pieces he has here, or he's no better than Hammett.
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@Tim Yep, essentially just saying that bringing in some structure (i.e., a bit of fucking coaching) can get them part way there. That's an improvement, but Panadol will also have to work out how to use some of the new pieces he has here, or he's no better than Hammett.
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@gt12 Yep, especially when you consider that Auckland's forward pack (led by a huge game from Tuipulotu) really dominated Ta$man's last year, playing against that structure.
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Not so sure that I agree that getting rid of Tuipolotu is a good idea. But, the rest of the argument is interesting - given that it basically revolves around getting rid of Parsons
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This article highlights why Parsons should never have been re signed ,he’s like the bad stench that’s coming from a part of the house and it’s gonna take another 2 years to find..
What makes him harder to move on is the fact he’s on the leadership team which almost borders on nepotism with nobody else getting crack regardless of how he plays.
On the radio sport show he appears on,he spoke about the Blues having more depth and competition for places apart from hooker me thinks.
however the article does empathise there is an issue in terms of fitness when fatigue sets in,decision making becomes sloppy.With Melani Nanai off contract next year,I would the Blues to have crack at a fullback who has got a big boot than can at least carve off good metres when clearing from the red zone..
The chiefs used James Lowes really well as kicking option when clearing the 22..one person that comes to mind is David Havili,with so much competition at the Crusaders in the back 3,I would love to see the Blues have a crack at Havili
Sean Stephenson has a big boot,but my concern is the flakyness of the Harbour player. -
This article highlights why Parsons should never have been re signed ,he’s like the bad stench that’s coming from a part of the house and it’s gonna take another 2 years to find..
What makes him harder to move on is the fact he’s on the leadership team which almost borders on nepotism with nobody else getting crack regardless of how he plays.
On the radio sport show he appears on,he spoke about the Blues having more depth and competition for places apart from hooker me thinks.
however the article does empathise there is an issue in terms of fitness when fatigue sets in,decision making becomes sloppy.With Melani Nanai off contract next year,I would the Blues to have crack at a fullback who has got a big boot than can at least carve off good metres when clearing from the red zone..
The chiefs used James Lowes really well as kicking option when clearing the 22..one person that comes to mind is David Havili,with so much competition at the Crusaders in the back 3,I would love to see the Blues have a crack at Havili
Sean Stephenson has a big boot,but my concern is the flakyness of the Harbour player.@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2019:
With Melani Nanai off contract next year,I would the Blues to have crack at a fullback who has got a big boot than can at least carve off good metres when clearing from the red zone..
Two injuries haven't helped the kicking game from the back. The starting fullback was probably going to be Perofeta, with Trainor backing him up.
Trainor has been erratic until the 2018 season with Auckland.. he may have turned the corner
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What's the deal with Trainor's injury? He's been out all season. His best shot to get into the game day team was these last couple of games with SBW and Telea out. Hopefully he gets an opportunity at some point, we need to see if he can kick on at this level.
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What's the deal with Trainor's injury? He's been out all season. His best shot to get into the game day team was these last couple of games with SBW and Telea out. Hopefully he gets an opportunity at some point, we need to see if he can kick on at this level.
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Now that Harris and Coltman are off the market, the following are still available:
Abel (Rebels)
Sosene-Feagai (Blues dev, Auckland)
Eklund (still playing?)
Tolai (Blues dev, Harbour)
Olsen (Northland)
Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
Makalio (Crusaders)
Funnell (Crusaders)
Pleasants-Tate (ehhhh, Southland)Not interested in:
Niuia
O'ReillyAny NPC players worth looking at? Will Apisai develop further?
Probably the three most promising are Abel, Taukei'aho, and Makalio. Either of Abel or Makalio starting, with Taukei'aho off the bench.
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Now that Harris and Coltman are off the market, the following are still available:
Abel (Rebels)
Sosene-Feagai (Blues dev, Auckland)
Eklund (still playing?)
Tolai (Blues dev, Harbour)
Olsen (Northland)
Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
Makalio (Crusaders)
Funnell (Crusaders)
Pleasants-Tate (ehhhh, Southland)Not interested in:
Niuia
O'ReillyAny NPC players worth looking at? Will Apisai develop further?
Probably the three most promising are Abel, Taukei'aho, and Makalio. Either of Abel or Makalio starting, with Taukei'aho off the bench.
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@Tim has Riccitelli been snapped up?
@Canes4life Yeah, all three Hurricanes hookers will be back next year.
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Now that Harris and Coltman are off the market, the following are still available:
Abel (Rebels)
Sosene-Feagai (Blues dev, Auckland)
Eklund (still playing?)
Tolai (Blues dev, Harbour)
Olsen (Northland)
Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
Makalio (Crusaders)
Funnell (Crusaders)
Pleasants-Tate (ehhhh, Southland)Not interested in:
Niuia
O'ReillyAny NPC players worth looking at? Will Apisai develop further?
Probably the three most promising are Abel, Taukei'aho, and Makalio. Either of Abel or Makalio starting, with Taukei'aho off the bench.
@Tim mate, your dreaming!
Parsons is likely to be starting next year again, at worst he will be the impact player off the bench...
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Midfield is also going to be an issue next season. Faiane, Tele'a, and Ioane are the signed centre options, with Faiane and Plummer covering 12. I guess that Clarke may be able to play 13 too.
Who's available next year?
Tumua Manu (Chiefs)
Bailyn Sullivan (Chiefs)
Orbyn Leger (Chiefs)
Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs dev, Waikato)
Jack Goodhue (dreaming, Crusaders)
Braydon Ennor (Crusaders)
Rob Thompson (Highlanders)
Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Highlanders)
Jonah Lowe (Hurricanes)
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
Michael Little (probably on too much cash in Japan)
Thomas Aoake (Blues dev, Ta$man)
Tamati Tua (Northland, former Blues)
Scott Gregory (Northland, Blues dev)
Blake Hohaia (Northland)
Harrison Groundwater (Harbour)
Loketi Manu (Harbour)Of the realistic options, Manu would be first choice. Would love to get Little to share 12 with Faiane, and Ennor to play at 13. Leger is still promising at 12. Scott Gregory is likely to be the U20 player that gets signed?
There's going to be a lot of promising midfield backs on display in the NPC. Matt Johnson might be up at Northland too. Really looking forward to that competition. Anyone know who's likely to play for Ta$man?
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@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.
