Blues 2020

[Machpants]

@nzzp said in Blues 2020:

@Kirwan said in Blues 2020:

@nzzp said in Blues 2020:

@Daffy-Jaffy that drone footage is amazeballs. Looks brutal (like most years)

I liked the one where Ofa was having to bear crawl up One Tree Hill. Look hideous.

That was quality brutality, eh. Glamorous life of a pro athlete.

Brutal? Ha, weak. We* in the military had to do all this with heavy loads, and weapons.

• By 'we' in the military, I mean those who didn't try hard enough at school and ended up as a grunt, or similar. As aircrew, I obviously went from air-conditioned accommodation/ hotel to chauffered air conditioned vehicle to air-conditioned jet. An officer should never run, as it alarms the men.

[Daffy Jaffy]

This post is deleted!

[Daffy Jaffy]

@KiwiMurph I agree it is good to see Howlett involved with the team. They even supplied a couple of old burnt out cars on the beach for him to jump on! Can anyone I.D. the player who is the front right stretcher bearer next to San Nock at 4m.52s in the vid? It's been annoying me that I can't work out who he is.
Edit: I think the same player in the white T shirt in this pic - could it be Tamati Tua?

[taniwharugby]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2020:

the white T shirt in this pic - could it be Tamati Tua?

nah that isnt Tua

[Duluth]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2020:

Edit: I think the same player in the white T shirt in this pic - could it be Tamati Tua?

Looks like Zarn Sullivan

[Stargazer]

@Daffy-Jaffy It is Zarn Sullivan.

[KiwiMurph]

Good to see Sullivan in the environment.

Does anyone know what happened to Lemeki Namoa the 2019 Blues Development Player of the Year?

He got injured last year I believe.

[Bovidae]

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2020:

Good to see Sullivan in the environment.

He already was. I watched the Chiefs Dev and Blues Dev teams play each other earlier this year. Zarn was playing for the Blues and Bailyn for the Chiefs.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@KiwiMurph I saw Namoa on Sky's coverage of the recent Red Bull ignite sevens so he is fit and playing. Maybe he will turn out for Auckland at the national sevens on Dec. 14/15.

[KiwiMurph]

Preseason
Blues v Hurricanes
Friday 24 January
3pm.
$10 for adults and free for kids.
Onewa Domain
All proceeds go to Takapuna RFC

[Duluth]

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2020:

Going by the Blues latest video the main leadership group is

Patrick Tuipulotu (captain)
James Parsons
Rieko Ioane
Tom Robinson

So a demotion for Gibson - from co-captain to outside the leadership group

You can't trust his durability unfortunately

I suspect that means a first choice trio of Papali'i/Ioane/Robinson too. I think Papali'i is the best 6 in NZ but at 7 he seems to get the judgment calls wrong.

That's a physical trio though. Gibson and a specialist lock on the bench?

[gt12]

@Duluth said in Blues 2020:

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2020:

Going by the Blues latest video the main leadership group is

Patrick Tuipulotu (captain)
James Parsons
Rieko Ioane
Tom Robinson

So a demotion for Gibson - from co-captain to outside the leadership group

You can't trust his durability unfortunately

I suspect that means a first choice trio of Papali'i/Ioane/Robinson too. I think Papali'i is the best 6 in NZ but at 7 he seems to get the judgment calls wrong.

That's a physical trio though. Gibson and a specialist lock on the bench?

I still think that Paps is the future at 7/6 off the bench (starting at 6/7 depending on Ardie) so him getting time at 7 makes me happy. He could be a bigger Cane and that’s a pretty good thing if he can pull it off.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Pre-Season Fixture:
Gallagher Chiefs vs. Blues
Date: Friday 17 January
Time: 3.00pm kick-off, 1.30pm gates open
Venue: Waihi Athletic Rugby Club, Waihi

A 3pm kickoff in the middle of January will test those fitness levels.
It's crazy to think these teams will be back playing six weeks from now.

[nzzp]

@Daffy-Jaffy I know, was thinking about that.

Probably not taking a season ticket this year. Starts too early, too many family clashes, despite the earlier kickoffs. Will just rock up on an 'ad hoc' basis.

Edit: I broke and picked up a BLues pass for me and the boy. Great value, and if I get to 3 games it's worth it. They throw ina free junior, so well well worth it.

[Bovidae]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2020:

Pre-Season Fixture:
Gallagher Chiefs vs. Blues
Date: Friday 17 January
Time: 3.00pm kick-off, 1.30pm gates open
Venue: Waihi Athletic Rugby Club, Waihi

A 3pm kickoff in the middle of January will test those fitness levels.

All these preseason games are played during the day so the conditions will be challenging. I went to the Chiefs-Blues game in Te Kuiti in 2018, and it was hot enough being in the crowd.

[Tim]

Open Team Training.
Skills & Hills.
Friday 6th Dec @ Monte Cecilia Park,
10:45-11:45am.

Open Team Training
Skills Session.
Friday 13th Dec @ Victoria Park,
10:30-11:30am.

[Nogusta]

@Daffy-Jaffy Taufa Funaki is with the Blues (on an ITC) but thats not him in the dreads. Thats Soane Vikena. MAGS/NZ20s hooker who along with Zarn Sullivan mst be the ITCs this year. Luteru Tolai is trainig pre-season with the Blues as well.

[Daffy Jaffy]

[nzzp]

@Daffy-Jaffy superb part of the world, Cornwall Park. Would have loved to pop down and see them

[taniwharugby]

@Daffy-Jaffy watching those kinds of clips make me think about doing some exercise...then I remember beer and my enthusiasm fades.