Blues 2021
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Plumtree?
It's not like Auckland doesn't have a surplus of loose forwards around. Finau was involved with the Blues this year too.
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@Tim i had heard the Blues were keen on Tua, I wonder if he might be available for the latter part of the season, so they'll give him a Dev contract or something ?
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Blues development player of the year and New Zealand under-20 hooker Vikena (signed for four years) was injured in the Mitre-10 Cup, which means the well-performed Kurt Eklund returns as injury cover. Eklund (Bay of Plenty) has signed a two-year deal with the Blues that kicks in from 2022.
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From the media release:
There is one further player to be named in a 38-strong squad.
@Stargazer I presume a midfielder.
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I know this signing was announced a few weeks ago but the Blues have scored a bit of a coup stealing Darry from Crusader land.
Decent prospect by all accounts, just that the locking queue in red and black is a bit long.
His mum is the nutritionist on the weetbix ads and his dad was a North Otago rep and good mates with Steve Hansen -
I know this signing was announced a few weeks ago but the Blues have scored a bit of a coup stealing Darry from Crusader land.
Decent prospect by all accounts, just that the locking queue in red and black is a bit long.
His mum is the nutritionist on the weetbix ads and his dad was a North Otago rep and good mates with Steve Hansen -
@Crucial it seems that Auckland is suddenly a credible (even attractive) destination for young players.
At long bloody last is all I can say.
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@Crucial yeah, but it's not just him. Our fringe players are a huge step up on last year, and the year before that.
Every team has stars, but it's the squad depth that often makes a difference when injuries start to kick in. That's where the recruitment is so effective, and where Canterbury have had an edge for so long. I think you're starting to see talented up and comping players moving from other regions into Auckland because they want to - the outside back from Naki (JRK), Hunt coming home. Hell, even Nepo coming back over the hill wouldn't have happened in the past.
Anyway, our traditional (of the last few years) weaknesses of 2/9/10/15 are still there, but they have moved from 'yawning chasm of pain' to 'solid, but not world class'. I'll take that, and there is plenty of upside out there too.
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So I wonder how Eklund works?
Is he in for the whole season replacing Vikena?
Or only part of the season?
@KiwiMurph Niuia over Eklund...
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ins and outs -
Vikena for Ekland
Lay - Lindenmuth
Laulala -Mafileo
Darry - Tucker
Plumtree - Carroll
Hunt - Lamborn
Lam - Marchant
R-Kneepkins - Duffie
Macilai-Tori - Hyland
Sullivan - Barrett
TBC? - Reidlinger-Kapa or
TBC? - Heighton
gone not replaced - Page. -
@Tim said in Blues 2021:
Depth in midfield is a big concern.
Probably looking at utilities providing cover? AJ Lam often plays 13 at club level. Plummer covers 12
Hopefully Tele'a's bad luck with injuries is over
@Duluth said in Blues 2021:
Probably looking at utilities providing cover? AJ Lam often plays 13 at club level. Plummer covers 12
Yeah was just going to say that too. Plummer will cover 12.
If there is one to be to be added, and it is a midfielder, who else is out there?
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@Duluth said in Blues 2021:
Probably looking at utilities providing cover? AJ Lam often plays 13 at club level. Plummer covers 12
Yeah was just going to say that too. Plummer will cover 12.
If there is one to be to be added, and it is a midfielder, who else is out there?
@Snowy Ray Nu'u, Tei Walden and Stacey Ili would be 3 guys I'd have a look at.
Ili is the least likely to be picked, because he's played for Samoa and is a bit older, but he's the most exciting option. He's a local boy though, and the brother of Tall Blacks player, Shea Ili.
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@Snowy Ray Nu'u, Tei Walden and Stacey Ili would be 3 guys I'd have a look at.
Ili is the least likely to be picked, because he's played for Samoa and is a bit older, but he's the most exciting option. He's a local boy though, and the brother of Tall Blacks player, Shea Ili.
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@Dice Had forgotten about Tei Walden. He's still in the 'Landers WTG though isn't he. I don't know how that contracting works?
@Snowy Unless I've missed something, it doesn't seem he's with the Highlanders at all.
https://thehighlanders.co.nz/media-centre/news/1052-highlanders-name-squad-for-2021
Not back from 2020: Jack Whetton (NSW), Dillon Hunt (Blues), Rob Thompson ( Japan) Bryn Gatland (Chiefs), Jesse Parete (Japan), Josh Iosefa-Scott, Zane Kapeli, Kirisi Kuridrani, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Nabura, Josh McKay
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@Snowy Unless I've missed something, it doesn't seem he's with the Highlanders at all.
https://thehighlanders.co.nz/media-centre/news/1052-highlanders-name-squad-for-2021
Not back from 2020: Jack Whetton (NSW), Dillon Hunt (Blues), Rob Thompson ( Japan) Bryn Gatland (Chiefs), Jesse Parete (Japan), Josh Iosefa-Scott, Zane Kapeli, Kirisi Kuridrani, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Nabura, Josh McKay
