Blues 2018

[KiwiMurph]

@tim Parsons really did seem to break the shackles without the captaincy and was running so really nice lines - his core set piece work seemed solid too.

On the other hand Apisai - my main takeaway of him when i've seen him in the past is 'underwhelming' and it was more of the same - he got dominated in some collisions.

Moulds hasn't had a ton of opportunities but he hasn't really taken those that he has had.

I'd honestly rather the Blues had someone like Eklund in the mix - he was a huge improver in M10 Cup and looked sharp at the Brisbane 10s - I reckon he could provide real spark off the bench with his speed.

[taniwharugby]

@kiwimurph Eklunds throwing is worse than Moulds....I know it isn't always the throwers fault.

Yeah Moulds has all the attributes to be a top drawer hooker, but just hasn't gotten there yet, which makes you wonder if he will.

Tana was impressed with Ross Wright in pre-season, many Taniwha fans have said for years hooker is his best spot, could be worth a crack off the bench.

[Tim]

I'm wondering who will be available next year? Makalio, Funnell, and Vella from the Crusaders, Coltman from Otago, maybe Riccitelli?

Hope we can keep Parsons for another year.

[KiwiMurph]

@taniwharugby Eklund's throwing was hugely improved in 2017 Mitre 10 Cup. 2016 yes I'd agree - 2017 he was MUCH better.

[African Monkey]

@kiwimurph Yup, he was probably one of our standouts in a horrendous M10 Cup season.

I'd hope Parsons goes around another year for us especially as he isn't far away from 100 games.

[Nogusta]

@kiwimurph yep Telea and Sotutu both injured at the Brissy 10s and haven't come right yet. Blues 20s were very poor against the Chiefs. Chiefs were 14 nil up at halftime. Blues forwards very loose/disconnected (buzzword these days), possession was scarce. Sione Havili far and away the best player for the blues. Kaynan Tua (son of David) also caught the eye coming off the bench with some strong aggressive carries which was seriously lacking in the first half. When the Blues backs finally got ball they tried to push the pass too much. Scott Gregory probably the main culprit with a number of errors. Very uncharacteristic of him though...I've seen him play a lot and this was a game he would much rather forget. Wiseguy Faiane came on 2nd half with Plummer moving to 2nd 5 and Visinia replacing Gregory at center. That seemed to spark things a bit but too late as the Chiefs consolidated their first half 14nil lead with 2 further tries. Plummer outplayed by his Chiefs counterpart Matoe. Caleb Clarke may as well have not been playing he hardly touched the ball which was absolute criminal!! Sebastian Visinia the pick of the Blues backs.
Blues 20s play the Hurricanes next Saturday at Suburbs. Apparently Asafo Aumua and Jordie Barrett will both be playing!

[KiwiMurph]

@nogusta Thanks very much for the detailed write up. Be interesting if one of Kaino or Tupou isn't right for this weekend whether Havili might be given a bench spot considering Preston is injured and Kirikiri may be suspended.

[Tim]

Any news on whether Kirikiri was suspended?

[Stargazer]

@tim I've been keeping an eye on it and haven't seen any decisions yet, other than the Higginbotham suspension.

[Steven Harris]

I will be heading along to watch the Blues development game on Saturday will keep you all posted.

[Tim]

Analysis: Why the Blues need to play Rieko Ioane at 13

[KiwiMurph]

@tim This is type of stuff that concerns me most about Tana.

He played a hell of a lot in midfield but he is in his 3rd year and still hasnt delivered a stable midfield combination.

In his 3rd year and he sticks together a combo of SBW and Moala and probably wonders why it doesn't work....

[Duluth]

http://theblues.co.nz/big-day-blues-shadbolt-park/

Saturday sees a big doubleheader for the club when the Blues Under 20s and A teams will play at Shadbolt Park, home of the Suburbs rugby club.

Sponsored by Westie Pies, the Under 20s will be the curtainraiser against the Hurricanes Under 20s and have a side riddled with young talent, most of it not long out of school. They will be seeking to turn around last weekend’s result, when they lost 29-17 to their Chiefs counterparts in Waihi.

Co-captained by the Auckland pair of first five Harry Plummer and No 6 Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa, the Under 20s have also included one current schoolboy, Sacred Heart Year 13 student and 2017 NZ Schools halfback Taufa Funaki. Caleb Clarke continues his transition back from national sevens duty with this team on the left wing.

“We initiated the 20s with the Hurricanes in 2015. We identified a need to add another layer to the pathway,” says Tony Hanks, General Manager High Performance. “We have fantastic engagement with our Under 18s and having the Under 20s provides continuity and encourages the players to stay in our system. The Under 20 programme has a very heavy development focus and we are fortunate to have quality staff and coaching working with the group.”

North Harbour assistant coach Daniel Halangahu is the Head Coach, while his assistants are Blues scrum coach Ben Afeaki and former All Blacks flanker Steven Bates.

The Blues A team faces their Chiefs counterparts in the first of two games between the teams in the next month, and is the first hit-out for the Blues As, coached by North Harbour’s Tom Coventry. The injured Otere Black will help out as assistant as he continues his rehab.

Several fringe Blues, some who shone at last month’s Brisbane Global Tens and in the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup, and nine fully contracted players, highlight the A team selection, with some seeking game time and, in the case of first five Stephen Perofeta, on the comeback from injury. The Blues squad to tour South Africa will be named after this game and some players from the A fixture could well find themselves on the plane.

Lock Josh Goodhue will skipper the Blues As, while two players from the Honda Heat Japanese club, who have a partnership with the Blues – Kondo Masaki and Song Gi Paku – are among the reserves.

Blues U20s team to face the Hurricanes (1.00pm kickoff):

1. Leon Thambiran (North Harbour)

2. Penisoni Fineanganofo (Auckland)

3. Robb Cobb (Auckland)

4. Ben Sa’u (Auckland)

5. John Akauola-Laula (Auckland)

6. Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa (co-c, Auckland)

7. Tamarau McGahan (North Harbour)

8. Nathan Va’atausili (North Harbour)

9. Jack Heighton (North Harbour)

10. Harry Plummer (co-c, Auckland)

11. Caleb Clarke (Auckland/Blues)

12. Sebastian Visinia (Auckland)

13. Scott Gregory (Northland)

14. AJ Lam (Auckland)

15. Matt Storm (Auckland)

16. Luteru Tolai (North Harbour)

17. Leka Tu’ungafasi (Auckland)

18. Feao Teutau (Auckland)

19. Max Hicks (North Harbour)

20. Aleks Dabek (Auckland)

21. Brad McNaughten (North Harbour)

22. Jack Bergin (North Harbour)

23. Patrick Pati (North Harbour)

24. Lemeki Namoa (Auckland)

25. John Cooper (Auckland)

26. Kaynan Tua (Auckland)

27. Taufa Funaki (Auckland)

Dan Halangahu: Coach
Ben Afeaki: Assistant Coach
Steven Bates: Assistant Coach
Grant Wilson: Manager

Simon Kim: Doctor
Mark Plummer: Physio
Jaco Pretorius: Physio

Josh Yarnton: Performance Analyst
Jeremy Giles: Trainer

Blues A team to face the Chiefs (2.45pm kickoff):

1. Adrian Smith (North Harbour)

2. Ross Wright (Northland/Blues)

3. Sione Mafileo (North Harbour/Blues)

4. Josh Goodhue (c, Northland/Blues)

5. Jacob Pierce (North Harbour)

6. Matt Matich (Northland/Blues)

7. Adrian Choat (Auckland)

8. Hapakuki Moala-Liava’a (North Harbour)

9. Jonathan Ruru (Auckland/Blues)

10. Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki/Blues)

11. Tumua Manu (Auckland)

12. Orbyn Leger (Counties Manukau/Blues)

13. Tamati Tua (Northland/Blues)

14. Jordan Hyland (Northland)

15. Jordan Trainor (Auckland/Blues)

16. Kurt Eklund (Auckland)

17. Marcel Renata (Auckland)

18. Jack Straker (Northland)

19. Kondo Masaki (Honda Heat)

20. Connor Collett (North Harbour)

21. Lewis Gjaltema (North Harbour)

22. Song Gi Paku (Honda Heat)

23. Salesi Rayasi (Auckland)

24. Ben Neenee (North Harbour)

Tom Coventry: Coach
Otere Black: Assistant Coach
Paul Gianotti: Manager

Simon Kim: Doctor
Harley Matthews: Physio
Josh Yarnton: Performance Analyst
Adam Storey: Trainer

[Duluth]

10. Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki/Blues)

Good news. I thought he was going to miss the SA trip

[Tim]

@duluth Great news indeed.

Interesting to see Jacob Pierce and Ben Nee Nee listed under North Harbour. Good to see Hapakuki Moala-Liava’a in there too.

[taniwharugby]

Interesting Josh Goodhue is captain and Ross Wright is seen by Blues as a hooker.

[KiwiMurph]

Does Orbyn Leger listed as Blues mean he is the replacement in this year's Blues squad for the injured Matt Johnson I wonder?

[Tim]

@duluth said in Blues 2018:

Tom Coventry: Coach

Also good to see!

[Bovidae]

@tim

Poachers!!

[Tim]

@bovidae He's ours now mate. You got Colin.