Blues 2023

[Duluth]

@Crucial said in Blues 2023:

Not a bad side when you have bench players like Papalii, Luatua, Laulala, Afoa and Toeava!

Pity there's no room for Brian Lima

Nonu & SBW too

Other players did more in a Blues jersey though

[Nepia]

@Duluth said in Blues 2023:

@Crucial said in Blues 2023:

Not a bad side when you have bench players like Papalii, Luatua, Laulala, Afoa and Toeava!

Pity there's no room for Brian Lima

Nonu & SBW too

Other players did more in a Blues jersey though

I'd still chuck Ma'a into 12 and move Rieko to the wing.

[Crucial]

@Duluth said in Blues 2023:

@Crucial said in Blues 2023:

Not a bad side when you have bench players like Papalii, Luatua, Laulala, Afoa and Toeava!

Pity there's no room for Brian Lima

Nonu & SBW too

Other players did more in a Blues jersey though

Probably had a no carpetbaggers rule.

[Bovidae]

Put Luatua at lock.

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Crucial]

Blues management seem to be making a hash of finding a coach.
The writing was on the wall with Rangi a long time ago but they crossed their fingers on a couple of unlikely candidates then tried to jump on the Canes preferred guy.
Comments suggest that Coventry keeps being overlooked and may ow be reluctant to be the 4th or 5th choice.
Circumstances or incompetence?
They could have been honest with TC and said 'we are going for Joe but if that doesn't pan out you are in the mix'
This is an ugly way of doing things

[Kirwan]

Or the Blues/Blues insiders aren't talking to the media and their guesses are bad?

[Stargazer]

RICCITELLI EXTENDS BLUES CONTRACT — Blues Rugby

Dynamic Blues hooker, Ricky Riccitelli, has signed a two-year contract extension with the Blues, seeing him continue at the club through until the end of 2025. Riccitelli has represented the Blues on 21 occasions since joining the club in 2022. He has a wealth of Super Rugby experience with 92 caps

[Tim]

Has Plumtree played this year?

[KiwiMurph]

@Tim He came off of the bench in one game i remember.

[Duluth]

@Tim

Twice off the bench (v Crusaders & Force)

Maybe Peita takes his spot next year?

[Tim]

Any idea if Choat will back next week? Assume Segner takes his spot, if not.

[kiwi_expat]

@Tim said in Blues 2023:

Any idea if Choat will back next week? Assume Segner takes his spot, if not.

Segner is better anyway.

[African Monkey]

@kiwi_expat Both pretty decent in fairness.

[Bones]

Disappointed to not see more of Lam this season. Probably not as much as he is though, he was really building last season.

[Tim]

@Bones Might well see him in the next two games. Clarke came off with a lower leg issue.

[Bones]

@Tim said in Blues 2023:

@Bones Might well see him in the next two games. Clarke came off with a lower leg issue.

It'll be interesting to see just how much the blues improve if that's the case...

[Tim]

According to Blues instagram account, the team were 1st in run metres, and 2nd in tackle completion rate.

No mention of kicking stats.

[Bones]

@Tim said in Blues 2023:

No mention of kicking stats.

Still trying to count them all.

[Tim]

The Blues, meanwhile, are equally relaxed about the holes they have in their playing roster for next year, with just three key spots to fill (lock, midfield and loose forward). It’s understood they’re looking closely at young Chiefs second row Laghlan McWhannell, while Jack Goodhue has been mentioned in dispatches as a potential replacement for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at No 12. The All Black is also talking with the Crusaders about re-signing there.

All Blacks loose forward Akira Ioane confirmed recently he had yet to make a decision about his future beyond this year.