Blues 2020

[Tim]

Blake Gibson's doing some sort of "high impact" training with Akira Ioane, so I take it that his injury wasn't that bad.

[Tim]

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 Renata

James Parsons
Ray Nuia

Patrick Tuipulotu
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
Bayden Wardlaw
Rumoured Signing from outside Blues region

Tom Robinson
Blake Gibson
Dalton Papalii
Akira Ioane
Hoskins Sotutu

Sam Nock
Finlay Christie
Jonathan Ruru

Otere Black
Harry Plummer
Stephen Perofeta
Beauden Barrett

TJ Faiane
Tanielu Tele’a

Rieko 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.

[Tim]

I'd suggest that Pierce will be signed at lock and Lindenmuth at prop.

Some interesting possibilities in other positions.

Hooker:

Nathan Vella
Luteru Tolai
Leni Apisai
Kurt Eklund
Jordan Olsen

[Tim]

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 Lindenmuth

James Parsons
Ray Nuia
Leni Apisai

Patrick Tuipulotu
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
Bayden Wardlaw
Rumoured Signing from outside Blues region
Jacob Pierce

Tom Robinson
Blake Gibson
Dalton Papali'i
Akira Ioane
Hoskins Sotutu
Adrian Choat
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa

Sam Nock
Finlay Christie
Jonathan Ruru

Otere Black
Harry Plummer
Stephen Perofeta
Beauden Barrett

TJ Faiane
SBW
Harrison Groundwater
Tanielu Tele’a
Tumua Manu

Rieko Ioane
Emoni Narawa
Matt Duffie
Jordan Trainor
Tima Faingaanuku

[nzzp]

@Tim so who's the 'rumoured signing'? Too early to pick - just that you had him* in the squad

.* yep, I'm assuming gender. Shoot me,

[KiwiMurph]

What about the Harbour wingers? Telea and another fella? They looked sharp.

[Tim]

@KiwiMurph Aha! I forgot Talea. Good call!

[cgrant]

Caird ?

[Bovidae]

@cgrant said in Blues 2020:

Caird ?

Caird is in the Blues region now. I hope it's not Tucker, who should be in the Chiefs.

[Dice]

I hope Ray Nu'u gets picked up.

[Steven Harris]

@cgrant I spoke to Sam when Northland played their last game , I can only take his word for it, but he said no Franchises had been in touch with him..
It’s a real shame Manaaki Selby Ricket has got himself into trouble..I really rate this kid..brilliant lineout forward..
On a midfielder.. I would be all over Fatuli Paea from Ta$man...

[Dice]

@Steven-Harris I was going to mention Paea, but then I saw that he turns 28 next year and is ineligible for NZ, which won't help his chances of picking up a contract.

If teams have a couple of midfield injuries, he'd be a solid player to call up as injury cover.

[mikey07]

@Dice where had Paea come from?

[Steven Harris]

Been thinking about that extra lock option from outside the Blues catchment area...I do wonder if they have snared a big fish..would love to know the status of Paripari Parkinson ...?.i would imagine he has crossed paths with head coach Leon MacDonald...and I have not seen any confirmation of Parkinson returning to the Landers..
That would be a great signing...
Others options
James Tucker...I do like this guys workrate..reminds me of James Blackwell..
Geoff Cridge not wanted by the Canes.
Sam Caird...would need another several Kgs..
Jack Whetton...?
Josh Goodhue.. I do wonder if he has taken one knock to the head to many..
Any others ...?

[Duluth]

@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2020:

Been thinking about that extra lock option from outside the Blues catchment area...I do wonder if they have snared a big fish..would love to know the status of Paripari Parkinson ...?.i would imagine he has crossed paths with head coach Leon MacDonald...and I have not seen any confirmation of Parkinson returning to the Landers..
That would be a great signing...
Others options
James Tucker...I do like this guys workrate..reminds me of James Blackwell..
Geoff Cridge not wanted by the Canes.
Sam Caird...would need another several Kgs..
Jack Whetton...?
Josh Goodhue.. I do wonder if he has taken one knock to the head to many..
Any others ...?

I hope we are chasing Parkinson

The signing is not a big fish. A good hard worker though

[Steven Harris]

@Duluth I think Parkinson would be right up there as forward signing...If you took out the locks were taken to the RWC , I reckon he’s close to next cab off the rack ..he’s a very big man, and a great line out option, he’s an All Black in waiting in my book, and like you say he has a great work rate , to me that puts him in the big fish category..

[Duluth]

@Steven-Harris

Any idea on the fitness of Josh Goodhue?

Tuipulotu, GCT, Wardlaw are confirmed.

Pierce is very likely as Coventry seemed to pick him as a long term option last season and he followed that with a good NPC.

Pretty sure another lock has signed

Robinson can cover lock too..

It's hard to a space for Goodhue?

[Steven Harris]

@Duluth not too sure on the fitness of Goodhue , but his constant head knocks and the fact he picks up injuries are a real concern..I do like the look of Jacob Pierce..looks a real athlete, and if anybody knows anything about locks Coventry will know..
And yes Robinson can cover lock..
When are these squads named...?

[Duluth]

@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2020:

When are these squads named...?

Not sure. There’s been a few dates posted on tsf

At least a week away but less than two weeks seems to be the consensus

[cgrant]

I would not like to see Robinson start a game at lock. He does not like the tight work. He's just a six IMO.