Blues 2021

Tim

Blues forwards coach Tom Coventry is rapt they have such a proven and reliable fallback option after Parsons’ defection, and with Nuia (short term) and Vikena (4-5 months) also facing stints on the sideline.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300222224/blues-hooker-kurt-eklund-inspired-by-late-mum-as-he-lands-fulltime-spot-for-2021

taniwharugby

@Tim defection?

nzzp

@taniwharugby said in Blues 2021:

@Tim defection?

yeah, that word choice was terrible.

Inigo Montoya: I do not think that means what you think it means

nzzp

@taniwharugby said in Blues 2021:

@Tim defection?

following up on this, as 'retirement' would have been far better.

Word choice hates - lazy sportswriter bingo (and in fairness, some are lazy subeditors):

Stanza
Pill
'run the cutter'
Code
REVEALED: ...
'slams' (as in coach slams players)
...

Gunner

@nzzp said in Blues 2021:

@taniwharugby said in Blues 2021:

@Tim defection?

Word choice hates - lazy sportswriter bingo (and in fairness, some are lazy subeditors):

Stanza

Reading that I was taken straight to the half time break at Mt Smart with Stephen McIvor's voice ringing in my ears

Nogusta

This post is deleted!

Stargazer

The worst kept secret is now official:

ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK CONFIRMS TWO YEAR DEAL

New Zealand Rugby and the Blues have confirmed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has signed a two-year contract that will also see him link with Auckland through to the end of 2023.

He will link up with Auckland later in the year and kick off his Sky Super Rugby career with the Blues in 2022.

Bovidae

So in what position do we see RTS playing in 2022? Right wing seems to be the position with no clear first-choice.

11 - Clarke
15 - BB or maybe Sullivan

nzzp

@Bovidae said in Blues 2021:

So in what position do we see RTS playing in 2022? Right wing seems to be the position with no clear first-choice.

11 - Clarke
15 - BB or maybe Sullivan

15 unlikely to be BB - I think he's wanting to go back to 10 and compete with RM ... if he ever comes back from Japan of course

Tim

@Bovidae 12?

nzzp

@Tim said in Blues 2021:

@Bovidae 12?

he'd be competing with Rieko.

/shudders. goddamn I hope to god that is a tongue in cheek throwaway that won't come back to haunt me.

Duluth

@Tim said in Blues 2021:

@Bovidae 12?

Long term that’s what I want. Might be asking too much in the first year though. His stepping and ability to burst through contact is freakish.

Bovidae

@Tim said in Blues 2021:

@Bovidae 12?

Would he be up to it defensively?

I did read that the AB coaches believe midfield is where RTS should play.

Yeetyaah

@Bovidae 12 or 13. Isn't there a constant meme about how All Blacks wingers expire at 26? Doesn't have the skillset for 15 in union. I'd say 12 or 13, more likely 13.

taniwharugby

@Yeetyaah although mid field is pretty tough defensively.

Nepia

@Yeetyaah said in Blues 2021:

@Bovidae 12 or 13**. Isn't there a constant meme about how All Blacks wingers expire at 26**? Doesn't have the skillset for 15 in union. I'd say 12 or 13, more likely 13.

Left wing only, right wings can carry on for ages.

bobily2

It can sometimes be years before a player learns to play effectively in the midfield. He seems like an excellent fit for wing. I really think it's a no brainer. Though I fully expect him to be shoved into midfield.

Bovidae

@Yeetyaah Jason Robinson switched from RL to RU at a similar age, and continued to play wing or fullback. He and RTS are similar type players.

nzzp

@Bovidae good call, but that was also a generation ago. The game has evolved massively since then

Dice

Good move to play M10 before jumping into Super Rugby.

I personally want to see him at fullback, because I think that's where you can get the most out of his attacking game, but then I like Sullivan at fullback too.:man_shrugging:

The Silver Fern

Blues 2021