Blues 2021

Stargazer

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Stargazer

From the media release:

There is one further player to be named in a 38-strong squad.

https://blues.rugby/2021-squad-named/

KiwiMurph

@Stargazer I presume a midfielder.

KiwiMurph

So I wonder how Eklund works?

Is he in for the whole season replacing Vikena?

Or only part of the season?

Crucial

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

nzzp

@Crucial it seems that Auckland is suddenly a credible (even attractive) destination for young players.

At long bloody last is all I can say.

Crucial

@nzzp also helps that he is friends with Rangi’s son

nzzp

@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.

macmanus

@KiwiMurph Niuia over Eklund...

Daffy Jaffy

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.

Duluth

@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

Snowy

@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?

Dice

@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.

Snowy

@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?

Dice

@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

Snowy

@Dice Cheers. Hadn't seen that.

Bovidae

Walden has an achilles injury so could take a while to fully recover.

Daffy Jaffy

New Blood -

Dice

@Daffy-Jaffy When looking at that, I think we've upgraded our roster this season.

Luteru Tolai would be the most unlucky one from last season's team to not be in the team again.

He's only 22, so hopefully we pick him up again after 2021 when Parsons and Niua should be off contract.

Stargazer

@Bovidae Yeah, but he suffered that injury after it became clear that the Highlanders weren't going to re-sign him. So it's not due to his injury that he doesn't have a Highlanders contract.

The Silver Fern

Blues 2021