Blues 2019

[Chris]

@Dice Highlanders also sniffing around Peter Umaga-Jensen trying to get him down there with his brother.

[Chris]

@Tim said in Blues 2019:

Isi Tu'ungafasi

Isi Tu'ungafasi. played TH for The Crusaders when he got a Run.

[Tim]

@Chris Thanks dude. Do you rate him?

[Chris]

@Tim Yes I do He's well rated at the Crusaders Maybe their replacement for Franks.If not The Blues should grab him hes very good for a young prop.Got some mongrel.

[KiwiMurph]

I think Lemalu has signed a new 2 year deal in England.

[Dice]

@nzzp said in Blues 2019:

@Tim said in Blues 2019:

@Nogusta Interesting stuff. I'd like to see us pick up a good kicking option on the wing too, especially if the player is also good in the air.

I know this is the Blues thread, but by god the Aucklanders kicked well last year. Kickers all over the backline and very effective at it. Blues could learn from that

Maybe bring Tai Lavea in to have a hand with our backline in the future? He's pretty new to the pro ranks, so it might be a year too early for him, but the way he remolded that Auckland backline was pretty impressive. The backline was creative, skillful and very organized. I didn't think that was possible.

[African Monkey]

@Chris Are you serious? He's awful, thank fuck Auckland got rid of him.

[Chris]

@African-Monkey Yeah I am he's been good I hear with the Crusaders ( when he's gotten on the field and off it)and they Rate him not sure why he wasn't good with Auckland.Maybe the environment cause he has impressed in the Crusaders setup.

[taniwharugby]

@African-Monkey he grew as a player for NOrthland last year, scrummaging was poor at the start but got better as the season wore on and was a good ball carrier and defender.

[Nogusta]

@Tim

Cameron Suafoa is another

He played blindside last night and was one of the better performers. Waimana Reidlinger Kapa was very good at 8.
Suafoa is being courted by Canterbury and the Crusaders. They flying him down next week for a look around.

[African Monkey]

@Chris If he's impressed, then why do they prefer that Sumner journeyman George Bower ahead of him? Wouldn't they invest in him a bit more and have him ahead of guys like Bower at the very least and maybe even competing with Harry Allan for a look in at LH? Even with Franks gone next year he's still gonna be miles down the pecking order.

This more or less belongs in the Crusaders thread but oh well haha.

[Tim]

@Nogusta Do you know who else played for Auckland or Harbour?

[Chris]

@African-Monkey Yeah it does They Like Bower as he played both sides of the Scrum.I think they see potential in Isi enough for a contract I am not 100% sure.But don't be surprised if they keep him.

[Chris]

@Nogusta Do you Rate Suafoa he seems to be a big unit.

[cgrant]

And what about Taulani (Counties Steelers) ? He is a big unit too.

[Yeetyaah]

Why is Christie being touted as "returning home." Dude was born in Scotland. Manu will be a loss for the Chiefs if he moves back north.

[KiwiMurph]

@Yeetyaah it's just typical Blues PR spin finding a way to put a positive spin on things

"if we say this shit player is returning home people might not be so angry"

[Nepia]

@Yeetyaah said in Blues 2019:

Why is Christie being touted as "returning home." Dude was born in Scotland. Manu will be a loss for the Chiefs if he moves back north.

Not a big one, he was essentially surpassed by Nankinvall.

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah Christie hails from the Scottish part of Pukekohe.

Will he play for C-M too?

[Stargazer]

@Yeetyaah said in Blues 2019:

Why is Christie being touted as "returning home." Dude was born in Scotland. Manu will be a loss for the Chiefs if he moves back north.

I think because in the article on the Blues website, they refer to him as a "former St Kent's pivot".