Blues 2022

[Stargazer]

It would be really awesome if people who quote or refer to articles in the media, actually post links to those articles. Thanks in advance. (IIRC it used to be Fern policy, because it's also a way to acknowledge the author)

[Daffy Jaffy]

@stargazer For you, coz I care -
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300455378/super-rugby-pacific-blues-ink-zarn-sullivan-bryce-heem-to-contract-extensions

[Nepia]

@george33 said in Blues 2022:

@nepia franchise they clubs now move on

Never, I won my battle with NZR over the NPC this year, I will win this too.

[KiwiMurph]

@kiwimurph said in Blues 2022:

Stuff understands that Whangārei is the favoured venue to host the Rebels clash, though details were still being worked through. If so, it would be the first Blues Super Rugby clash in Northland since 2011.

@Stargazer

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300454910/blues-embrace-early-kickoffs-as-they-go-fanfriendly-to-open-super-rugby-pacific

[george33]

@nepia ok then have it your way I'm over it

[Nepia]

@george33 said in Blues 2022:

@nepia ok then have it your way I'm over it

I think you do work for NZR considering how seriously you're taking this. Since I have your ear can you move the Magpies to another franchise please?

[Crazy Horse]

@nepia said in Blues 2022:

@george33 said in Blues 2022:

@nepia ok then have it your way I'm over it

I think you do work for NZR considering how seriously you're taking this. Since I have your ear can you move the Magpies to another franchise please?

Haven't they already been moved to Moana Pasfika?

[Stargazer]

@crazy-horse

They should move Moana Pasifika to the Bay.

[Daffy Jaffy]

The Blues have contracted three young prospects for 2022 in midfielder Corey Evans, 20, halfback Taufa Funaki, 21, and lock/loosie Cameron Suafoa, 23.
Choat and Tua also confirmed -
https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/young-guns-sign-for-2022

[Tim]

@daffy-jaffy Just two names to go now!

[Tim]

@daffy-jaffy Tamati Tua and Choat confirmed too.

Northland’s Tamati Tua will re-join the Blues after being part of the team in 2018. The 23-year-old midfielder played for the New Zealand Under-20s and has 38 games for Northland, coming back after injury issues that have thwarted his progress in the last two years.

[Tim]

Just the locks to confirm now.

Props

Tu'inukuafe
Hodgman
Jordan Lay
O Tu'ungafasi
Laulala
Renata

Hookers

Vikena
Eklund
Riccitelli

Locks

Goodhue (healthy?)
Darry
Romano
1x or 0x lock

Lock/Loose Forward

Suafoa
1x or 0x lock/loose forward

Loose forwards

Choat
Segner
Papalii
Robinson
Plumtree
Sotutu
A Ioane

Halfbacks

Nock
Christie
Funaki

1st Five Eighths

Barrett
Perofeta
Plummer

Midfield

T Tele'a
R Ioane
Evans
Tua

Outside Backs

Tuivasa-Sheck
Clarke
M Telea
Heem
AJ Lam
Raumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Sullivan

[Tim]

Who plays centre when Rieko Ioane is unavailable?

Heem, Tele'a, Tua? Does Evans cover centre? Maybe Lam or Clarke?

[Daffy Jaffy]

@tim Heem played a lot at centre in Europe and for Auckland pre-lock down. He would be my first pick. Tua plays there also. RTS?

[Daffy Jaffy]

@tim Also I saw Lam play well there for the development team a couple of times.

[Daffy Jaffy]

We could do with an update on Segners injury last weekend?

[nzzp]

@daffy-jaffy said in Blues 2022:

The Blues have contracted three young prospects for 2022 in midfielder Corey Evans, 20, halfback Taufa Funaki, 21, and lock/loosie Cameron Suafoa, 23.

And of course Rieko, who is still only 24 (amazed emoji; he seems to have been around forever)

[Duluth]

A couple of things I want to see next year:

Robinson at lock. He's good enough in the air and he shifts bodies around the field.. does he offer enough in the scrum?
Having Papali'i/Sotutu/Akira/Robinson on the field at the same time would be useful

Funaki in the 23. If the rumours are true Nock tried to get an early release. He's unlikely to stick around next year so it's time to develop a new halfback

[Crucial]

@tim said in Blues 2022:

1st Five Eighths
Barrett
Perofeta
Plummer

Midfield
T Tele'a
R Ioane
Evans
Tua

Outside Backs
Tuivasa-Sheck
Clarke
M Telea
Heem
AJ Lam
Raumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Sullivan

I'd be moving Perofeta to Outside backs and Plummer to midfield (12). Yes they cover 10 but are much better in other places. Meanwhile get Sullivan into the playmaking role as much as possible. That boy looks to have the class attributes to play 10 really well and could well be the star 10 the Blues have been searching for (forever). Don't throw the opportunity away and develop another 15.

[Nogusta]

@tim who will the midfield be assuming Plummer plays 10 when Barret and Rieko are rested the first few rounds?