Blues 2020
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@Tim said in Blues 2020:
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
OlsenTahs confirmed on Abel.
@KiwiMurph With Abel out of the picture I don't mind if Ray Niuia is signed as was rumoured a while ago. He is experienced and a big unit (listed at 120kgs for Samoa) who carries strongly. My question about him is fitness to last starting games of summer rugby, but they can work on that. Being stuck behind Parsons at Harbour then Makilio at Ta$man he rarely starts games. I do like his impact off the bench though. My choice as 3rd hooker would be Ekland. He brings a different style of impact with his energy, speed and ball skills. However I think they may pick Tolai. He is also a unit at 119kgs who impressed with the dev. team and is playing well for Harbour now that he is getting regular starts. He is only 21 so maybe could be in the wtg and then we could slowly phase Parsons out as the season goes on. :grinning_face:
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@KiwiMurph With Abel out of the picture I don't mind if Ray Niuia is signed as was rumoured a while ago. He is experienced and a big unit (listed at 120kgs for Samoa) who carries strongly. My question about him is fitness to last starting games of summer rugby, but they can work on that. Being stuck behind Parsons at Harbour then Makilio at Ta$man he rarely starts games. I do like his impact off the bench though. My choice as 3rd hooker would be Ekland. He brings a different style of impact with his energy, speed and ball skills. However I think they may pick Tolai. He is also a unit at 119kgs who impressed with the dev. team and is playing well for Harbour now that he is getting regular starts. He is only 21 so maybe could be in the wtg and then we could slowly phase Parsons out as the season goes on. :grinning_face:
@Daffy-Jaffy Haven't seen much of Harbour this year. Has Tolai's throwing improved? He's only played hooker since leaving school and his throwing was dodgy last year.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Haven't seen much of Harbour this year. Has Tolai's throwing improved? He's only played hooker since leaving school and his throwing was dodgy last year.
@African-Monkey I have seen most NH games. Since Parsons was injured he has played good minutes and I have not noticed any obvious problems with his throwing, so I guess its improved with time in the saddle. Much like Kurt Ekland who's throwing was atrocious when he first made the Auckland team, but improved in his second season and seems ok now for BOP.
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@Stargazer said in Blues 2020:
That does not seem like a good appointment Waratahs would be glad to get rid of him
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@Tim said in Blues 2020:
@jegga We got the only good one. Enjoy Jordie dropping the ball in your 22.
I’m desensitised to it already, based on his semifinal performance I think Beauden is going to fit seamlessly into the blues backline
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Looks like 29 players (28 available in 2020) of the 38 have been signed. Probably have an extra spot in the squad due to Beauden Barrett's late availability.
Alex Hodgman
Karl Tu’inukuafe
Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Sione Mafileo
Marcel RenataJames Parsons
Ray NuiaPatrick Tuipulotu
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
Bayden Wardlaw
Rumoured Signing from outside Blues regionTom Robinson
Blake Gibson
Dalton Papalii
Akira Ioane
Hoskins SotutuSam Nock
Finlay Christie
Jonathan RuruOtere Black
Harry Plummer
Stephen Perofeta
Beauden BarrettTJ Faiane
Tanielu Tele’aRieko Ioane
Emoni Narawa
Matt Duffie
Caleb Clarke (Sevens)I'd suggest Lindenmuth, Pierce, Manu, and Trainor might be four more. Maybe SBW to make five. Need a hooker, a wing, a fullback option, an openside, and a six or eight.
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My guess at a 38. The other player (due to Barrett) might be Cameron Suafoa, Sione Havilli, or Josh Goodhue. AJ Lam might might get in ahead of Tima Faingaanuku. SBW might not be back. I forgot that Perofeta covers 15, and was used there by the Blues in preseason games.
Alex Hodgman
Karl Tu’inukuafe
Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Sione Mafileo
Marcel Renata
Ezekiel LindenmuthJames Parsons
Ray Nuia
Leni ApisaiPatrick Tuipulotu
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
Bayden Wardlaw
Rumoured Signing from outside Blues region
Jacob PierceTom Robinson
Blake Gibson
Dalton Papali'i
Akira Ioane
Hoskins Sotutu
Adrian Choat
Waimana Riedlinger-KapaSam Nock
Finlay Christie
Jonathan RuruOtere Black
Harry Plummer
Stephen Perofeta
Beauden BarrettTJ Faiane
SBW
Harrison Groundwater
Tanielu Tele’a
Tumua ManuRieko Ioane
Emoni Narawa
Matt Duffie
Jordan Trainor
Tima Faingaanuku
