Blues 2020

African Monkey

@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.

Tim

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.

nzzp

@Tim could be a good acquisition then. Hopefully Leon is better htan his predecessors

Tim

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.

nzzp

@Tim THIS IS OUR YEAR

Tim

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

African Monkey

@nzzp Very well said!

Tim

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
Sotutu

That 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.

Bovidae

Pierce doesn't look as tall as he's listed at.

Isn't the rumour that Ofa is heading south?

Tim

@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.

Stargazer

@Tim I keep on wondering whether that rumour was started by someone who confused Ofa with Isi.

taniwharugby

@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.

Tim

@taniwharugby Thought he was really good coming off the bench for the Blues this year. Think he played mostly at 7 for them.

Tim

Any news on Tony Hanks?

Seems that he's the last of the old guard.

Duluth

@Tim said in Blues 2020:

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.

I think @Nogusta said it too? He's correct more often than not

African Monkey

@Duluth Yeah and @chchfanatic who's fairly accurate as well.

Steven Harris

@Tim Hanks was up with the Northland coaching staff last week, I suspect he’s gonna be around a little bit longer..he must the luckiest guy in NZ rugby

Nogusta

@African-Monkey he literally had an about turn at the 11th hour and is staying at the Blues now.

African Monkey

@Nogusta Well there we have it guys. It would be a bit low of him to leave a team that has invested so much in him to become a glory hunter.

Nogusta

@African-Monkey he didn't not want to be a part of the Blues revival

The Silver Fern

Blues 2020