Blues 2020

[Stargazer]

@Nogusta If it's Lamborn, I hope that doesn't automatically imply a return to the Magpies as well ... Southland can have him. I prefer some of the younger blokes coming through in our province.

[Nogusta]

@Duluth taking over the solid/dependable role player role from Jed Brown?

[Duluth]

@Nogusta

I guess that's the rationale. I don't think he's good enough for that role though

At least there's so many other loosies in front of him that it shouldn't be important.

I assume Choat went overseas because he didn't get a SR contract? Thats the disappointing part.. he had a high ceiling

[Duluth]

https://blues.rugby/hard-work-edict-for-blues-2020-squad/

Beauden Barrett, Otere Black, Finlay Christie, Caleb Clarke, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Matt Duffie, Kurt Eklund, TJ Faiane, Blake Gibson, Josh Goodhue, Jack Heighton, Alex Hodgman, Jordan Hyland, Akira Ioane, Rieko Ioane, Tony Lamborn, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Sione Mafileo, Joe Marchant, Emoni Narawa, Ray Niuia, Sam Nock, Jared Page, Dalton Papalii, James Parsons, Stephen Perofeta, Jacob Pierce, Harry Plummer, Marcel Renata, Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa, Tom Robinson, Jonathan Ruru, Hoskins Sotutu, Mark Telea, Tanielu Tele’a, James Tucker, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tuungafasi, Baden Wardlaw

[Tim]

Big questions over midfield and fullback.

Then the usual issues at halfback and centre.

Tony Lamborn is a disappointing signing IMO.

[Tim]

There is only one specialist 12 in the squad?

[Steven Harris]

@Tim I agree ,staggered with the selection of Lamborn...

[Tim]

Heighton is an interesting selection. Is he there as a 9 or a 10?

[Steven Harris]

@Tim he’s normally a 10

[Bovidae]

Rieko is a midfielder now?

[Tim]

@Bovidae Hopefully not a 12!

But I guess he will get time at 13.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Tim Blues website list him as - utility 10/15.

[Bovidae]

@Tim Stuff seems to be suggesting that McDonald has indicated a switch of position.

[nzzp]

@Bovidae said in Blues 2020:

Rieko is a midfielder now?

Clearly spent too much time listening to Tana

Seriously, though, whatevrer works for the player. If he thinks his career is at 13, who am I to disagree. Tana did it and nailed it. It still feels a bit weird, mind

[Steven Harris]

@nzzp this could revive Rieko’s career and give him a new focus having to learn a position that if he gets right..anything’s possible

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Blues 2020:

Heighton is an interesting selection. Is he there as a 9 or a 10?

Utility, 10 & 15 on the Blues website

Also called an “early season replacement”

[Kirwan]

Was Kurt Eklund on the radar?

[cgrant]

Tucker in.

[Duluth]

@Kirwan said in Blues 2020:

Was Kurt Eklund on the radar?

He was pretty good for BOP after a very serious injury. I was hoping he made it

[nzzp]

@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2020:

@nzzp this could revive Rieko’s career and give him a new focus having to learn a position that if he gets right..anything’s possible

On Breakdown it seemed to be player led.

I'm amused; last season we had five 12s. Now we have one. FFS, Leon, I hope you know what you're doing. Benefit of doubt at this stage...