Blues 2024

[Stargazer]

Posted on Ofa Tu'ungafasi's instagram stories.
All Blacks usually use their offseason for "running repairs"; I wonder what he's in hospital for.

[Stargazer]

Officially confirmed now.

https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/barrett-back

[frugby]

@Stargazer Be curious to know whether any other franchises pushed hard for him.

[Duluth]

@frugby said in Blues 2024:

Be curious to know whether any other franchises pushed hard for him.

I doubt they were part of the conversation. He's settled in Auckland. It was probably Blues or nothing

[Daffy Jaffy]

Visual confirmation that Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo is training with the squad -

[Daffy Jaffy]

Annual Navy Mud Run -

[Tim]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/133437495/all-black-caleb-clarke-to-train-with-south-sydney-rabbitohs

[Daffy Jaffy]

Young Xavi Taele training with the team. Maybe one of the ndc players?

[Bovidae]

@Daffy-Jaffy You would think that one of the young NH locks (Cook, Christie) would be in line for a NDC spot.

[Daffy Jaffy]

King Maxwell also on an ndc with the Blues -
https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/king-maxwell

[Duluth]

He (Maxwell) is one of six players who earned a National Development Contract (NDC) with the Blues this season alongside last year’s Scholarship winner – Xavi Taele.

Strange that the article doesn't name the other four NDC players. Have the Blues named them anywhere else?

[Daffy Jaffy]

Not announced, but we know Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo, Rico Simpson and Riley Williams are training with the squad. They may be ndc players? I also think I spotted Leo Gordon in some posts but not completely sure its him.

[Bovidae]

It's five NDCs per Super Rugby franchise, unless the Blues are paying for one out of their own pocket. The retainer is $17,500 gross for each player so not a lot of money.

[Daffy Jaffy]

There are also two young front rowers at training as well as Ben Ake. The one in orange i think may be Maliu Nuiafe -

The other next to him I don't recognize, he looks a bit like Ake but it is not him as they appear together briefly in the same video screen shot below (Far left and far right).

[Daffy Jaffy]

This post is deleted!

[Daffy Jaffy]

https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/2024-captain

[Duluth]

Interesting. I would've gone with Papali'i

I guess it makes it easier to sub Dalton early and make more use of guys like Choat and Segner

[KiwiMurph]

I think it's a good move. Papalii's Blues form took a dip last year - let him focus on playing

[Daffy Jaffy]

Blues v Chiefs preseason -
4pm Feb 16th
Takapuna RFC - Onewa Domain
Tickets at the gate
Adults $10 & Kids under 14 free
Fans on field after game

[Tim]

@Duluth Hopefully Tuipulotu won't break his arm again.