Blues 2022
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@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.
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@tim do Akira and Rieko have another brother
@taniwharugby oops!
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@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!
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Jordan was going to play for MP but blues too good opportunity
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Jordan was going to play for MP but blues too good opportunity
@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.
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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.
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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! -
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
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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
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@stargazer great news from those guys especially zarn he has massive future ahead of him probably had other clubs chasing him
@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?
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@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?
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@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).
@stargazer said in Blues 2022:
@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).
Yeah, I know, but I will fight it everywhere (on the Fern).
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@stargazer said in Blues 2022:
@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).
Yeah, I know, but I will fight it everywhere (on the Fern).
@nepia said in Blues 2022:
@stargazer said in Blues 2022:
@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).
Yeah, I know, but I will fight it everywhere (on the Fern).
Also he could have had interest from actual clubs up north
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From a Stuff article today -
Blues confirmed signings for 2022: Hooker: Ricky Riccetelli, Kurt Eklund, Soane Vikena. Props: Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Karl Tuāinukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi. Locks: Sam Darry, Josh Goodhue. Loose forwards: Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Taine Plumtree, Tom Robinson, Hoskins Sotutu, Anton Segner. Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock. First fives: Beauden Barrett, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer. Midfield: Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Tanielu Teleāa. Fullback/wing: Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Bryce Heem, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Zarn Sullivan, Mark Telea.To be added: Two locks (looking like Luke Romano and James Tucker), two loose forwards, a halfback and two midfielders.
