Blues 2020
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From BOP Mafia Twitter - thoughts?
Congratulations to Baden Wardlaw, the Bay Steamers lock, who has been signed by @BluesRugbyTeam - not linking to the Herald article as it is behind the paywall #SteamTeamHe is 1.98m, 115kgs and 29 years old, but hey Alex Ainley was 33 when he debuted for the Highlanders. I have noticed his play and he does go well for the Steamers, seems physical and accurate in his core roles. His tackle stats are at 94%. The interest for me - is he replacing Scrafton who's gone or have they released Goodhue or Pierce? I hope they keep Pierce myself.
@Daffy-Jaffy From what I was told, Pierce was kept ahead of Scrafton.
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From BOP Mafia Twitter - thoughts?
Congratulations to Baden Wardlaw, the Bay Steamers lock, who has been signed by @BluesRugbyTeam - not linking to the Herald article as it is behind the paywall #SteamTeamHe is 1.98m, 115kgs and 29 years old, but hey Alex Ainley was 33 when he debuted for the Highlanders. I have noticed his play and he does go well for the Steamers, seems physical and accurate in his core roles. His tackle stats are at 94%. The interest for me - is he replacing Scrafton who's gone or have they released Goodhue or Pierce? I hope they keep Pierce myself.
The Blues could certainly use players who do the dirty work in their pack so happy to see how he will go.
Having more players who have come up the via the hard path rather than star schoolboys on the fast track is probably not a bad thing either!
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@Daffy-Jaffy From what I was told, Pierce was kept ahead of Scrafton.
How much have you seen of Pierce this year? I haven't watched much NPC, but he looked good in what I saw.
That would make four locks (Tuipulotu, GPT, Pierce, Wardlaw) with one to sign. Olmstead?
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How much have you seen of Pierce this year? I haven't watched much NPC, but he looked good in what I saw.
That would make four locks (Tuipulotu, GPT, Pierce, Wardlaw) with one to sign. Olmstead?
@Tim said in Blues 2020:
How much have you seen of Pierce this year? I haven't watched much NPC, but he looked good in what I saw.
That would make four locks (Tuipulotu, GPT, Pierce, Wardlaw) with one to sign. Olmstead?
Josh Goodhue ?
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@Tim said in Blues 2020:
How much have you seen of Pierce this year? I haven't watched much NPC, but he looked good in what I saw.
That would make four locks (Tuipulotu, GPT, Pierce, Wardlaw) with one to sign. Olmstead?
Josh Goodhue ?
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How much have you seen of Pierce this year? I haven't watched much NPC, but he looked good in what I saw.
That would make four locks (Tuipulotu, GPT, Pierce, Wardlaw) with one to sign. Olmstead?
@Tim Olmstead would be good. Goodhue doesn't do it for me either. Whetton may stay with the Highlanders as they lost Hemopo. I would like them to take a punt on Sam Caird from Northland. 22 years old, 202cm and 116kgs. He seems to play with good work rate and energy. The Northland fans might have some oil on him. If not maybe pick him up in the wtg. The other forward positions to fill -
1 looseshead - Lindenmuth, Cobb? ( I really like Harris from Auckland).
1 tighthead - Renata, Li?
2 hookers - Abel, Ekland, Tolai, Niuia?
1 openside - Hunt, Havili, Choat, Matich?
1 blindside - Roots, Suafua, Riedlinger-Kapa? ( would love to get Frizzel out of the Highlanders).
Should only be 3 weeks until the squads are named unless they wait a week until the cup final fever dies down. -
@Tim Olmstead would be good. Goodhue doesn't do it for me either. Whetton may stay with the Highlanders as they lost Hemopo. I would like them to take a punt on Sam Caird from Northland. 22 years old, 202cm and 116kgs. He seems to play with good work rate and energy. The Northland fans might have some oil on him. If not maybe pick him up in the wtg. The other forward positions to fill -
1 looseshead - Lindenmuth, Cobb? ( I really like Harris from Auckland).
1 tighthead - Renata, Li?
2 hookers - Abel, Ekland, Tolai, Niuia?
1 openside - Hunt, Havili, Choat, Matich?
1 blindside - Roots, Suafua, Riedlinger-Kapa? ( would love to get Frizzel out of the Highlanders).
Should only be 3 weeks until the squads are named unless they wait a week until the cup final fever dies down.@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2020:
Goodhue doesn't do it for me either. Whetton may stay with the Highlanders as they lost Hemopo. I would like them to take a punt on Sam Caird from Northland. 22 years old, 202cm and 116kgs. He seems to play with good work rate and energy. The Northland fans might have some oil on him. If not maybe pick him up in the wtg.
Pari Pari Parkinson? He signed with the Highlanders for 2018/19 but I don't think there's been any confirmation he's with them in 2020?
He has links to the Blues region, has worked with MacDonald before and seemed out of favour with the HighlandersThe Blues seem to have a long term bet on Pierce. He's played well for NH this year. They didn't use him much in 2019 but I think he should start alongside Tuipulotu initially
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How much have you seen of Pierce this year? I haven't watched much NPC, but he looked good in what I saw.
That would make four locks (Tuipulotu, GPT, Pierce, Wardlaw) with one to sign. Olmstead?
@Tim He played well against Auckland. Like you, I haven't watched as much M10 Cup this year due to the RWC, but we'll have to wait and see I guess.
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Watched a bit of Pierce against Wellington. Big guy who gets around the field well, hits a lot of rucks, takes lineout ball, and makes his tackles. Bit of hustle on the loose ball. Not used much as a ball carrier. Not sure on his support play, but does stay near the ball.
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Watched a bit of Pierce against Wellington. Big guy who gets around the field well, hits a lot of rucks, takes lineout ball, and makes his tackles. Bit of hustle on the loose ball. Not used much as a ball carrier. Not sure on his support play, but does stay near the ball.
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Looking at a probable pack:
- Karl T
- Parsons
- Ofa T
- Tuipulotu
- Pierce
- Robinson
- Papalii
- Ioane
In that starting line-up you've got three big ball carriers (Ofa T, Tuipulotu, Ioane), two pretty good ones (Robinson, Papalii), and one quite good one (Karl T).
Reserves bench should be decent too:
- Niuia (?)
- Hodgman
- Mafileo/Renata
- GCT
- Sotutu
Three good ball carriers in that list.
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Looking at a probable pack:
- Karl T
- Parsons
- Ofa T
- Tuipulotu
- Pierce
- Robinson
- Papalii
- Ioane
In that starting line-up you've got three big ball carriers (Ofa T, Tuipulotu, Ioane), two pretty good ones (Robinson, Papalii), and one quite good one (Karl T).
Reserves bench should be decent too:
- Niuia (?)
- Hodgman
- Mafileo/Renata
- GCT
- Sotutu
Three good ball carriers in that list.
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Now that the NPC round robin is over, who should be the hookers?
Parsons has been signed, and there's a good source saying that Niuia has been too, though it's not known if he will be a full squad member.
Unsigned possibles:
Eklund
Abel (Waratahs may be after him)
Apisai
Luteru Tolai
Olsen -
@nzzp Very well said!
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Loose Forwards:
Probably pick seven in a squad, five are signed, but Gibson may miss out with after damaging a tendon in his knee.
(Gibson)
Papalii
Robinson
Ioane
SotutuThat leaves three, probably two will need to be opensides. Matich, Hunt, Evans, Choat, Henwood, Karpik, Havili, and Kaylum Boshier are all possible sevens. Olmstead would be a nice addition, as would Ben-Nicholas. Riedlinger-Kapa, Suafoa, Preston, and Roots are also possibilities.
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Pierce doesn't look as tall as he's listed at.
Isn't the rumour that Ofa is heading south?
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@Bovidae There was from some of our Cantabs, but I haven't heard anything since. He'd need to be released from his Blues contract if that was the case.
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Loose Forwards:
Probably pick seven in a squad, five are signed, but Gibson may miss out with after damaging a tendon in his knee.
(Gibson)
Papalii
Robinson
Ioane
SotutuThat leaves three, probably two will need to be opensides. Matich, Hunt, Evans, Choat, Henwood, Karpik, Havili, and Kaylum Boshier are all possible sevens. Olmstead would be a nice addition, as would Ben-Nicholas. Riedlinger-Kapa, Suafoa, Preston, and Roots are also possibilities.
@Tim I reckon Matich would thrive as a fulltime super player, probably at 6 though, similarly Matiu, easily our best and most consistent performer this year.
I know he (Matich) was a late signing for Northland this year (possibly only single season) so not sure what his plans are from here.
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@Tim I reckon Matich would thrive as a fulltime super player, probably at 6 though, similarly Matiu, easily our best and most consistent performer this year.
I know he (Matich) was a late signing for Northland this year (possibly only single season) so not sure what his plans are from here.
@taniwharugby Thought he was really good coming off the bench for the Blues this year. Think he played mostly at 7 for them.
