Blues 2023
-
@Dice said in Blues 2022:
@nzzp said in Blues 2022:
@Dice said in Blues 2022:
With Beauden off contract next year, it's good to see Perofeta's signed beyond 2023. If Beauden bails after next season, we don't need to panic on who'll be our 10 in 2024.
Zarn?
He could be, but he's unproven as a 10. Needs to be playing 10 regularly to develop, but can't seem to get much time there for Auckland or the Blues.
With Plummer out, maybe he gets some game time there for Auckland this year.
That may be Jock McKenzie too
-
@Kirwan that's awesome. He's come on massively this year - his wide passing in particular is a thing of beauty
@nzzp his soft skills are outstanding
-
-
-
-
-
Vikena looks like a gun to me. Do you think that MacDonald, who can be rather conservative, will give him starts next season?
I think he could be an AB very soon, and should be looking to be the top dog at the Blues in 2023.
@Tim said in Blues 2023:
Vikena looks like a gun to me. Do you think that MacDonald, who can be rather conservative, will give him starts next season?
I think he could be an AB very soon, and should be looking to be the top dog at the Blues in 2023.
Eklund should start the season (barring injury) as top hooker given his 2022 season. Just unfortunate he left his worst game for the final. But agree Vikena should get more starts given he’s had a couple of seasons of Super rugby under his belt. His set piece is good but is much more dynamic than Eklund with ball in hand.
-
@Tim said in Blues 2023:
Vikena looks like a gun to me. Do you think that MacDonald, who can be rather conservative, will give him starts next season?
I think he could be an AB very soon, and should be looking to be the top dog at the Blues in 2023.
Eklund should start the season (barring injury) as top hooker given his 2022 season. Just unfortunate he left his worst game for the final. But agree Vikena should get more starts given he’s had a couple of seasons of Super rugby under his belt. His set piece is good but is much more dynamic than Eklund with ball in hand.
@TheMojoman Eklund is quality with ball in hand so I can't agree there. Vikena's strength all round the park is his biggest asset imo.
-
Hearing from a very reliable source that Ioane Afoa might be involved with Auckland and the Blues next year as he's finishing up in France. He's been to Blues HQ and chatted with the management.
@Yeetyaah said in Blues 2023:
Hearing from a very reliable source that Ioane Afoa might be involved with Auckland and the Blues next year as he's finishing up in France. He's been to Blues HQ and chatted with the management.
A coaching role ? he is 39 this year.
-
@Yeetyaah said in Blues 2023:
Hearing from a very reliable source that Ioane Afoa might be involved with Auckland and the Blues next year as he's finishing up in France. He's been to Blues HQ and chatted with the management.
A coaching role ? he is 39 this year.
@Chris said in Blues 2023:
@Yeetyaah said in Blues 2023:
Hearing from a very reliable source that Ioane Afoa might be involved with Auckland and the Blues next year as he's finishing up in France. He's been to Blues HQ and chatted with the management.
A coaching role ? he is 39 this year.
Last I heard he was in the D2 right, so it would be hard to come back to Super rugby from there.
A coaching role would make sense but perhaps if they are stuck with two/three departures (that we may not know about it) he could do a job with youngsters?
-
@Chris said in Blues 2023:
@Yeetyaah said in Blues 2023:
Hearing from a very reliable source that Ioane Afoa might be involved with Auckland and the Blues next year as he's finishing up in France. He's been to Blues HQ and chatted with the management.
A coaching role ? he is 39 this year.
Last I heard he was in the D2 right, so it would be hard to come back to Super rugby from there.
A coaching role would make sense but perhaps if they are stuck with two/three departures (that we may not know about it) he could do a job with youngsters?
@gt12 said in Blues 2023:
@Chris said in Blues 2023:
@Yeetyaah said in Blues 2023:
Hearing from a very reliable source that Ioane Afoa might be involved with Auckland and the Blues next year as he's finishing up in France. He's been to Blues HQ and chatted with the management.
A coaching role ? he is 39 this year.
Last I heard he was in the D2 right, so it would be hard to come back to Super rugby from there.
A coaching role would make sense but perhaps if they are stuck with two/three departures (that we may not know about it) he could do a job with youngsters?
I am sure he would add a lot as a mentor.
-
@Chris said in Blues 2023:
@Yeetyaah said in Blues 2023:
Hearing from a very reliable source that Ioane Afoa might be involved with Auckland and the Blues next year as he's finishing up in France. He's been to Blues HQ and chatted with the management.
A coaching role ? he is 39 this year.
Last I heard he was in the D2 right, so it would be hard to come back to Super rugby from there.
A coaching role would make sense but perhaps if they are stuck with two/three departures (that we may not know about it) he could do a job with youngsters?
@gt12 said in Blues 2023:
Last I heard he was in the D2 right, so it would be hard to come back to Super rugby from there.
He’s just finished with Bristol but is meant to be starting that 2 year French deal now.
He was still playing well for Bristol but I think some injuries were limiting his game time
-
@gt12 said in Blues 2023:
Last I heard he was in the D2 right, so it would be hard to come back to Super rugby from there.
He’s just finished with Bristol but is meant to be starting that 2 year French deal now.
He was still playing well for Bristol but I think some injuries were limiting his game time
@Duluth said in Blues 2023:
@gt12 said in Blues 2023:
Last I heard he was in the D2 right, so it would be hard to come back to Super rugby from there.
He’s just finished with Bristol but is meant to be starting that 2 year French deal now.
He was still playing well for Bristol but I think some injuries were limiting his game time
Ah OK, a quick google shows you're right, so maybe he's decided to axe Europe early?
