Blues 2025
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2025:
@Canes4life Would also make Plummer happy I guess. That might also open up a space for Rico Simpson though not sure he is ready at only 18.
Is Simpson the skinny 10 that got a few runs for Auskland this year? If so I agree he's not ready.
@Crazy-Horse Yep, he trained full time with the team as an academy player last season.
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@Bovidae Yeah, with Sullivan, Coles, Barrett and Perofetea we are kind of swimming in Fullback choices so he is unlikely to get much time there. I could see him in the midfield eventually but I will move him into outside backs on the list.
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2025:
Yeah, with Sullivan, Coles, Barrett and Perofetea we are kind of swimming in Fullback choices so he is unlikely to get much time there. I could see him in the midfield eventually but I will move him into outside backs on the list.
In the NZ Schools backline in 2022 you had Taele at 1st 5 and Tito-Harris at 2nd 5. Spencer was at fullback. It's why Taele has looked decent enough for Auckland at first receiver and as a goal kicker.
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The players not yet announced as resigned are -
PJ Sheck
James Thompson
Rob Rush
Lucas Cashmore
Meihana Grindlay
Jordan Lay ?I know Mason Tupea impressed when training with the team last season and Ben Ake is in the system and very promising. They could be front row swaps.
I think one of Thompson or Rush will miss out to Cam Christie who I watched closely at NPC and he impressed me.
Trystan Cook also has some promise. Both can play 6 and Lock. -
The players not yet announced as resigned are -
PJ Sheck
James Thompson
Rob Rush
Lucas Cashmore
Meihana Grindlay
Jordan Lay ?I know Mason Tupea impressed when training with the team last season and Ben Ake is in the system and very promising. They could be front row swaps.
I think one of Thompson or Rush will miss out to Cam Christie who I watched closely at NPC and he impressed me.
Trystan Cook also has some promise. Both can play 6 and Lock. -
@Daffy-Jaffy only think out of those guys, that Thompson will be there, Jordan Lay possibly.
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Heem is signed for 25 but it will surely be his last season. Great guy for mentoring the new young backs but turns 36 in January.
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Heem is signed for 25 but it will surely be his last season. Great guy for mentoring the new young backs but turns 36 in January.
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2025:
He is signed for 25 but it will surely be his last season. Great guy for mentoring the new young backs but turns 36 in January.
Been watching Heem for a few years. He's really solid - has come back bloody good. Lack of pace only exposed occasionally, and sometimes peels off runs that make you sit up.
Great signing. Thanks for the effort Bryce
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Heem is signed for 25 but it will surely be his last season. Great guy for mentoring the new young backs but turns 36 in January.
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2025:
He is signed for 25 but it will surely be his last season. Great guy for mentoring the new young backs but turns 36 in January.
He probably shouldn't be in the 23 that often either. Great cover for when there are injuries
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@george33 I do like Thompson so am ok with him staying. He could play more blindside if Rush is replaced by Christie.
@Daffy-Jaffy have heard Rush may be heading off shore.
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Bit of depth lost at wing with Banks and Tangitau at other franchises
I'll be annoyed if Lam is forced to play wing as he's the best 12 in the squad
Who else covers wing? Spencer? Heem prob too slow for wing these days. Tito-Harris perhaps? That blonde chap from Northland looked useful
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Bit of depth lost at wing with Banks and Tangitau at other franchises
I'll be annoyed if Lam is forced to play wing as he's the best 12 in the squad
Who else covers wing? Spencer? Heem prob too slow for wing these days. Tito-Harris perhaps? That blonde chap from Northland looked useful
@KiwiMurph Nathan Salmon...think he will be training with Blues in an apprentice-type role.
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@george33 I missed him off my 'not yet announced' list. Surely they want him, he performed well when chosen last season. I think he is Vern's type of forward.
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@george33 I missed him off my 'not yet announced' list. Surely they want him, he performed well when chosen last season. I think he is Vern's type of forward.
@Daffy-Jaffy totally agree, but could be wrong , haven't seen anything about him been re-signed.
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Heem is signed for 25 but it will surely be his last season. Great guy for mentoring the new young backs but turns 36 in January.
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@Duluth
Aug 27 Blues facebook post -
Here’s a list of all the boys who have re-signed over the last 6 months
Dalton Papali’i
Caleb Clarke
Sam Nock
Bryce Heem
Kurt Eklund
Corey Evans
Cole Forbes
Marcel Renata
Taufa Funaki
Hoskins Sotutu
Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Josh Beehre
AJ Lam
Anton Segner
Zarn Sullivan
Beauden Barrett -
@Daffy-Jaffy hearing Heem may be forced into retirement due to injury
@Nogusta That should allow Lam more midfield time as most of us would like and maybe save Grindlay or open up an extra wing spot.
