Blues 2022

[Nogusta]

@tim I heard Mike Curry been brought in for cover

[Tim]

@nogusta The guy who played a season for Ta$man?

[taniwharugby]

@tim do Akira and Rieko have another brother

[Nogusta]

@tim yea I think so. Out of Nelson College. Think hes a loosie?

[Daffy Jaffy]

@tim Info from MLR - played for Colorado -
Nationality - American Samoa
Primary Position - Blindside Flanker
Other Positions - Lock, Number Eight
DOB - 1994-03-02
Height
1.96m (6'5")
Weight
110kg (240lbs)

Bio from MLR -
Michael was born in American Samoa and moved to Samoa with his family when he was 2 years old. When he was 15, his family moved to New Zealand where he attended Nelson College from 2009-2013. From 2011-2013 he played rugby for the 1st XVs and also played age-grade rugby for Ta$man for the U16s and U18s.

After graduating from Nelson College, he played for the TAsmanU20s and made his debut for the Ta$man Mako in 2018 in the Mitre 10 Cup. In 2019 he traveled to Perth, Australia and played for the World XV side coached by Robbie Deans.

Michael also played for Moutere RFC and in 2018 was named Marlborough Express Player of the Year.

[Tim]

@nogusta Would've thought there were better options in the Blues provinces?

[Tim]

@taniwharugby oops!

[taniwharugby]

@tim Sam McNamara (been in Blues dev side) or Liam Hallam-Eames are ones from Northland, without looking at who would come from NH or Auckland!

[Cpt Kumera]

Jordan was going to play for MP but blues too good opportunity

[Daffy Jaffy]

@cpt-kumera Hard to turn down the chance to train and play with 4 All black Props. Plus I imagine his brother will still be around the squad rehabbing.

[Stargazer]

https://twitter.com/BluesRugbyTeam/status/1460065151609040899

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Daffy Jaffy]

Blues draw in simple text -
The Blues draw for 2022 is (Times NZT):

Round 1, Saturday Feb 19: vs Fijian Drua, home (Eden Park, 4.35pm)

Round 2, Sunday Feb 27: vs Highlanders, Away

Round 3, Saturday Mar 5: vs Rebels, Home (Venue TBC)

Round 4, Sunday Mar 13: vs Waratahs, Away

Round 5, Sunday Mar 20: vs Crusaders, Away

Round 6, Sunday Mar 27: vs Hurricanes, home (Eden Park, 3.35pm)

Round 7, Saturday Apr 2: vs Moana Pasifika, home (Eden Park 7.05pm)

Round 8, Saturday April 9: vs Chiefs, away

Round 9: Bye

Round 10, Friday Apr 22: vs Western Force, away

Round 11, Saturday Apr 30: vs Highlanders, home (Eden Park, 7.05pm)

Round 12: Saturday 7 May: vs Chiefs, home (Eden Park, 7.05pm)

Round 13, Saturday 14 May: vs Moana Pasifika, away

Round 14, Friday 20 May: vs Reds, home (Eden Park, 7.05pm)

Round 15, Friday 27 May: vs Brumbies, away.

[Daffy Jaffy]

If as Chris suggested on the SRP 2022 thread, the All Blacks could be unavailable for the first 4 rounds, our pack will be minus 3 AB props, 3 AB loosies on top of the departed 3 locks and Gibson. We will have a very different forward pack starting the comp next year. If the back up and new forwards don't step up quickly it could be a difficult start to the comp. Lucky our early draw is not as difficult as it could be, but still at risk of poor results if our forwards struggle.
EDIT: - new info - All Blacks likely to play from round one according to Stuff, Yay!

[Stargazer]

Bryce Heem (2022) and Zarn Sullivan (2024) have extended their contract with the Blues.

https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/experienced-and-pathway-prospects-extend

[george33]

@stargazer great news from those guys especially zarn he has massive future ahead of him probably had other clubs chasing him

[Nepia]

@george33 said in Blues 2022:

@stargazer great news from those guys especially zarn he has massive future ahead of him probably had other clubs chasing him

Franchises muthafucker. Are you an NZR plant?

[Stargazer]

@nepia I agree, but all franchises in their comms seem to go the "club" way nowadays. The thinking may be that they expect the word "club" to give fans a biggger sense of belonging than "franchise" (which is more of a business model).