Blues 2023
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@Daffy-Jaffy I count 7 home games (including the Melbourne round), and 7 away games.
7 home games:
v Brumbies (Melbourne), Crusaders, Force, Waratahs, Moana Pasifika, Hurricanes and Highlanders7 away games:
v Highlanders, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Rebels, Drua, Crusaders, Reds@Stargazer Thanks. See above.
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There was a post in a Northland match thread about Tua moving to the Brumbies next year. Any thoughts on who to replace him with?
Heremaia Murray was in the WTG for pre-season this year, and plays centre and wing.
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They could use Heem and/or Lam in the midfield and look to replace Tua with a young outside back. Along with Murray, Caleb Tangitau or Moses Leo would be excellent options if they could be released from sevens duty. Both very promising youngsters.
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North Harbour's forwards have been pretty solid this year, I wonder how many will get Super Rugby contracts?
Niuia, Tolai, and Lotu Inisi (confirmed) probably have contracts with MP. And Michael Curry may have one too.
Nasilasila was with the Drua, Suafoa was with the Blues, and Kalapu is going to the Force.
Some of the props (Mayhew, Langi, Paea, Fidow) might be worth a look, as would Drake (lock), and the loose forwards Sititi, Melvin, and McGahan. Chlayton Frans from the younger players too.
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North Harbour's forwards have been pretty solid this year, I wonder how many will get Super Rugby contracts?
Niuia, Tolai, and Lotu Inisi (confirmed) probably have contracts with MP. And Michael Curry may have one too.
Nasilasila was with the Drua, Suafoa was with the Blues, and Kalapu is going to the Force.
Some of the props (Mayhew, Langi, Paea, Fidow) might be worth a look, as would Drake (lock), and the loose forwards Sititi, Melvin, and McGahan. Chlayton Frans from the younger players too.
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@Tim Chiefs won the first game 36 - 19, Blues won the 2nd 17 - 12.
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There was a post in a Northland match thread about Tua moving to the Brumbies next year. Any thoughts on who to replace him with?
Heremaia Murray was in the WTG for pre-season this year, and plays centre and wing.
@Tim said in Blues 2023:
There was a post in a Northland match thread about Tua moving to the Brumbies next year. Any thoughts on who to replace him with?
Pretty sure Caleb Tangitau and Moses Leo are incoming
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@Tim said in Blues 2023:
There was a post in a Northland match thread about Tua moving to the Brumbies next year. Any thoughts on who to replace him with?
Pretty sure Caleb Tangitau and Moses Leo are incoming
@Nogusta Outstanding. I think both have huge potential.
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@Tim said in Blues 2023:
There was a post in a Northland match thread about Tua moving to the Brumbies next year. Any thoughts on who to replace him with?
Pretty sure Caleb Tangitau and Moses Leo are incoming
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@Crucial said in Hurricanes 2023:
@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2023:
I've said it here before but B Sullivan gives me massive C Smith vibes. Similar build and a slick pass. That pass to Ardie against the Blues to win was a beaut.
Not as defensively sound as Smith (who is?) but on attack a lot to like.
Can be very hot and cold still though. He has dished up some shocking games at different levels. Hopefully it is all ironing out the wrinkles and he is learning lots because he does have something about him.
His brother needs to get away from the Blues logjam as well but The Highlanders would be his only realistic prospect to get lots of time.
One day we could see them together but the planets don't seem to align that well.If Barrett plays 2nd 5 Sullivan's brother would surely be an option for the starting FB at the Canes. Zarn seems to be a level above his older brother and from the little Ive seen of him better than Love and Moorby.
@Winger said in Hurricanes 2023:
@Crucial said in Hurricanes 2023:
@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2023:
I've said it here before but B Sullivan gives me massive C Smith vibes. Similar build and a slick pass. That pass to Ardie against the Blues to win was a beaut.
Not as defensively sound as Smith (who is?) but on attack a lot to like.
Can be very hot and cold still though. He has dished up some shocking games at different levels. Hopefully it is all ironing out the wrinkles and he is learning lots because he does have something about him.
His brother needs to get away from the Blues logjam as well but The Highlanders would be his only realistic prospect to get lots of time.
One day we could see them together but the planets don't seem to align that well.If Barrett plays 2nd 5 Sullivan's brother would surely be an option for the starting FB at the Canes. Zarn seems to be a level above his older brother and from the little Ive seen of him better than Love and Moorby.
I am a big of Zarn's, but I am yet to be convinced he has the attacking game from 15 that we have become accustomed to. I am not saying he doesn't have an attacking game, but he is more of a facilitator than a finisher. Would his style at 15 be a good fit for the Canes? At the risk of being a broken record, the kid has 10 written all over him.
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@Winger said in Hurricanes 2023:
@Crucial said in Hurricanes 2023:
@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2023:
I've said it here before but B Sullivan gives me massive C Smith vibes. Similar build and a slick pass. That pass to Ardie against the Blues to win was a beaut.
Not as defensively sound as Smith (who is?) but on attack a lot to like.
Can be very hot and cold still though. He has dished up some shocking games at different levels. Hopefully it is all ironing out the wrinkles and he is learning lots because he does have something about him.
His brother needs to get away from the Blues logjam as well but The Highlanders would be his only realistic prospect to get lots of time.
One day we could see them together but the planets don't seem to align that well.If Barrett plays 2nd 5 his brother would surely be an option for the starting FB at the Canes. He seems to be a level above his older brother and from the little Ive seen of him better than Love and Moorby.
I doubt he would look to go into a three way battle though and possibly thinks he can learn more being around BB and Perofeta.
I would really like him to find somewhere to get time at 10 though. He is one of those players that have time on the ball and an accurate, as well as strong, boot.@Crucial said in Hurricanes 2023:
@Winger said in Hurricanes 2023:
@Crucial said in Hurricanes 2023:
@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2023:
I've said it here before but B Sullivan gives me massive C Smith vibes. Similar build and a slick pass. That pass to Ardie against the Blues to win was a beaut.
Not as defensively sound as Smith (who is?) but on attack a lot to like.
Can be very hot and cold still though. He has dished up some shocking games at different levels. Hopefully it is all ironing out the wrinkles and he is learning lots because he does have something about him.
His brother needs to get away from the Blues logjam as well but The Highlanders would be his only realistic prospect to get lots of time.
One day we could see them together but the planets don't seem to align that well.If Barrett plays 2nd 5 his brother would surely be an option for the starting FB at the Canes. He seems to be a level above his older brother and from the little Ive seen of him better than Love and Moorby.
I doubt he would look to go into a three way battle though and possibly thinks he can learn more being around BB and Perofeta.
I would really like him to find somewhere to get time at 10 though. He is one of those players that have time on the ball and an accurate, as well as strong, boot.Have you seen him play 1st much? Ive only seen him at FB and in the Maori game he was very impressive. But I haven't seen too much of him at FB
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@Crucial said in Hurricanes 2023:
@Winger said in Hurricanes 2023:
@Crucial said in Hurricanes 2023:
@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2023:
I've said it here before but B Sullivan gives me massive C Smith vibes. Similar build and a slick pass. That pass to Ardie against the Blues to win was a beaut.
Not as defensively sound as Smith (who is?) but on attack a lot to like.
Can be very hot and cold still though. He has dished up some shocking games at different levels. Hopefully it is all ironing out the wrinkles and he is learning lots because he does have something about him.
His brother needs to get away from the Blues logjam as well but The Highlanders would be his only realistic prospect to get lots of time.
One day we could see them together but the planets don't seem to align that well.If Barrett plays 2nd 5 his brother would surely be an option for the starting FB at the Canes. He seems to be a level above his older brother and from the little Ive seen of him better than Love and Moorby.
I doubt he would look to go into a three way battle though and possibly thinks he can learn more being around BB and Perofeta.
I would really like him to find somewhere to get time at 10 though. He is one of those players that have time on the ball and an accurate, as well as strong, boot.Have you seen him play 1st much? Ive only seen him at FB and in the Maori game he was very impressive. But I haven't seen too much of him at FB
@Winger said in Hurricanes 2023:
@Crucial said in Hurricanes 2023:
@Winger said in Hurricanes 2023:
@Crucial said in Hurricanes 2023:
@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2023:
I've said it here before but B Sullivan gives me massive C Smith vibes. Similar build and a slick pass. That pass to Ardie against the Blues to win was a beaut.
Not as defensively sound as Smith (who is?) but on attack a lot to like.
Can be very hot and cold still though. He has dished up some shocking games at different levels. Hopefully it is all ironing out the wrinkles and he is learning lots because he does have something about him.
His brother needs to get away from the Blues logjam as well but The Highlanders would be his only realistic prospect to get lots of time.
One day we could see them together but the planets don't seem to align that well.If Barrett plays 2nd 5 his brother would surely be an option for the starting FB at the Canes. He seems to be a level above his older brother and from the little Ive seen of him better than Love and Moorby.
I doubt he would look to go into a three way battle though and possibly thinks he can learn more being around BB and Perofeta.
I would really like him to find somewhere to get time at 10 though. He is one of those players that have time on the ball and an accurate, as well as strong, boot.Have you seen him play 1st much? Ive only seen him at FB and in the Maori game he was very impressive. But I haven't seen too much of him at FB
Only snippets and when he comes into first receiver but he stands out instantly as a prospect when you see him.
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@Winger said in Hurricanes 2023:
@Crucial said in Hurricanes 2023:
@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2023:
I've said it here before but B Sullivan gives me massive C Smith vibes. Similar build and a slick pass. That pass to Ardie against the Blues to win was a beaut.
Not as defensively sound as Smith (who is?) but on attack a lot to like.
Can be very hot and cold still though. He has dished up some shocking games at different levels. Hopefully it is all ironing out the wrinkles and he is learning lots because he does have something about him.
His brother needs to get away from the Blues logjam as well but The Highlanders would be his only realistic prospect to get lots of time.
One day we could see them together but the planets don't seem to align that well.If Barrett plays 2nd 5 Sullivan's brother would surely be an option for the starting FB at the Canes. Zarn seems to be a level above his older brother and from the little Ive seen of him better than Love and Moorby.
I am a big of Zarn's, but I am yet to be convinced he has the attacking game from 15 that we have become accustomed to. I am not saying he doesn't have an attacking game, but he is more of a facilitator than a finisher. Would his style at 15 be a good fit for the Canes? At the risk of being a broken record, the kid has 10 written all over him.
@Crazy-Horse said in Hurricanes 2023:
I am a big of Zarn's, but I am yet to be convinced he has the attacking game from 15 that we have become accustomed to. I am not saying he doesn't have an attacking game, but he is more of a facilitator than a finisher.
So far that is true. If he's involved in a try scoring movement it's usually at the end of the chain of he's the guy giving the last pass.
I would like to see him play more selfishly occasionally and and try to beat defenders more often
There were signs of him doing that early in this NPC (gif from @Dice )
There's reasons he's suited to fullback too. He's one of the best under the high ball in the country. The length of his kick is massive too which is important 50/22's. It would be a close call between Sullivan/Jordie/Rayasi for the longest boot in the country (although Rayasi is inaccurate)
It's worth remembering how disruptive the last 18months have been too. The COVID destroyed NPC affected has had an impact on his progress. Then he had a few unfortunate niggles during SR and now has missed most of another NPC.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Hurricanes 2023:
I am a big of Zarn's, but I am yet to be convinced he has the attacking game from 15 that we have become accustomed to. I am not saying he doesn't have an attacking game, but he is more of a facilitator than a finisher.
So far that is true. If he's involved in a try scoring movement it's usually at the end of the chain of he's the guy giving the last pass.
I would like to see him play more selfishly occasionally and and try to beat defenders more often
There were signs of him doing that early in this NPC (gif from @Dice )
There's reasons he's suited to fullback too. He's one of the best under the high ball in the country. The length of his kick is massive too which is important 50/22's. It would be a close call between Sullivan/Jordie/Rayasi for the longest boot in the country (although Rayasi is inaccurate)
It's worth remembering how disruptive the last 18months have been too. The COVID destroyed NPC affected has had an impact on his progress. Then he had a few unfortunate niggles during SR and now has missed most of another NPC.
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@Duluth I would add Stevenson to the 'big boot' list.
Watching that gif, who is the last 'support' runner there? Terrible positioning to offer anything other than a 'congrats bro'.
@Crucial said in Blues 2023:
@Duluth I would add Stevenson to the 'big boot' list.
Watching that gif, who is the last 'support' runner there? Terrible positioning to offer anything other than a 'congrats bro'.
Yeah Stevenson would be in that group. I thought there was another obvious one I was missing
3rd player was Rayasi. He looked like he moved from a wider support line to get ready to clean out/drive him over. The pass wasn't on but the tackle should've been
