Blues 2021

African Monkey

Do we really need Laulala?

Duluth

Fromt he Blues website:

All Blacks prop Nepo Laulala today confirmed he will play his Super Rugby for the Blues for the next two years.

Samoan-born Laulala, educated in Auckland at Mt Albert Grammar and Westley College, wanted to be closer to family in Auckland with his wife Loriana and son Cassius.

“My wife and I felt the time was right for us to move closer to our families in Auckland. I went to school in Auckland and our extended families are all there,” said Laulala.

“Family is so important to us and even more so for Loriana to have support when I am away.

“I want to thank the Chiefs for all they have done for me.”

It means the Blues will boast four All Black front-rowers, joining Ofa Tuungafasi, Karl Tu’inukuafe and Alex Hodgman. All four are to play in the Rugby Championship in Australia, with Laulala granted paternity leave to delay his departure across the  Ta$man.

“I am excited to join the Blues and get to train and play alongside Ofa, Alex and Karl and I am looking forward to working with Ben Afeaki, Tom Coventry and the rest of the coaching team.”

Blues head coach Leon MacDonald said Laulala’s move is a further boost for the team.

“Nepo is a powerful scrummager and has worked hard on improving his mobility and handling around the field,” said MacDonald.

“It will be great for the four All Blacks to feed off each other, share information and collectively push themselves to continue to improve.

“It will also give us the opportunity to keep the group fresh and excited each week.”

Laulala will continue to play for Counties-Manukau where his brothers Ray and Casey have played while Luteru is in the current Steelers squad for the Mitre-10 Cup.

Kirwan

@African-Monkey said in Blues 2021:

Do we really need Laulala?

Great cover for injuries, and allows you to rotate during the season to a high level

Dice

We can start two AB props and have two AB props on the bench.

Hopefully we snap up Jarred Adams to round out a great propping group.

Yeetyaah

Ah fuck you Blues guys stealing our props. "Welcome home." Dude was born in Samoa.

Dice

We still have Mafileo for next season too, and he's probably been the best tighthead at scrum time in the NPC this season. This likely means Renata is out.

I'm guessing we'll need to pick between Lindenmuth and Adams to see who picks up that last prop spot.

Dice

@Yeetyaah said in Blues 2021:

Ah fuck you Blues guys stealing our props. "Welcome home." Dude was born in Samoa.

Bro, Samoa is in Auckland...

Nogusta

@Nogusta said in Blues 2021:

@Dice @Tim that probably confirms Lindenmuth won't be there next year as well as Mafileo

Chris

Blues are building a real power base now.

Tim

@Chris Certainly in the forwards. 9, 10, and 15 still a concern.

Kirwan

@Tim said in Blues 2021:

@Chris Certainly in the forwards. 9, 10, and 15 still a concern.

The main thing is that with the changes at the Board, CEO, and the coaches is that we are attracting players to the team.

Combined with the better relationship with the provinces, and talent coming through we have a much better foundation to be more consistent.

Chris

@Tim said in Blues 2021:

@Chris Certainly in the forwards. 9, 10, and 15 still a concern.

Nock and Black are decent thats not a bad start and Christie seems to be getting his game together.

Tim

Our first choice pack is starting to look pretty deadly.

1 Hodgman
2 Eklund
3 Tu'ungafasi
4 Tuipulotu
5 Pierce
6 Ioane/Robinson
7 Papalii
8 Sotutu

16 Tolai/Parsons
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Luatua
19 Cowley-Tuioti
20 Gibson/Robinson/Ioane/Hunt

nzzp

@Tim can we refer to Pierce as 'our future locking saviour' yet, or do we wait for a miracle game?

Tim

Looking at those players, the forwards match-ups in this weekend's Battle of the Bridge are going to be really tasty.

Tim

@nzzp FABJP

Gunner

@Tim said in Blues 2021:

Our first choice pack is starting to look pretty deadly.

1 Hodgman
2 Eklund
3 Tu'ungafasi
4 Tuipulotu
5 Pierce
6 Ioane/Robinson
7 Papalii
8 Sotutu

16 Tolai/Parsons
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Luatua
19 Cowley-Tuioti
20 Gibson/Robinson/Ioane/Hunt

The depth in the forwards is insane. I expect to see a fair bit of rotation especially in the loosies next year.

mofitzy_

@Gunner
Blake Gibson and Dillon Hunt too. Where will Choat go?

Nogusta

@mofitzy_ Landers maybe to replace Hunt?

Tim

@mofitzy_ Choat (1.90m) can play 6 as well as 7, so he'd be a good replacement for Tucker in the Blues squad. Robinson and Gibson will probably get injured, so he might well get game time.

Good pick up for most teams though.

The Silver Fern

Blues 2021