Blues 2019
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The definite selections for next year.
IN:
Hodgman
P. Manu - good for squad depth, good scrummager
Ofa
Scrafton - coming back from a serious knee injury though.
Cowley-Tuioti
Goodhue - finally started to hit his straps at this level. Good against Jaguares until concussed.
Tuipulotu - I see him as primarily a bench option though
Papali'i
Gibson
A. Ioane
Pulu - prefer him off the bench ...
Perofeta
Black
SBW
Leger - looks like a good prospect for the midfield
T. Manu - looks to have the ability at this level, be interesting where he plays for Auckland
R. Ioane
Clarke
DuffieThat's 19 players.
@tim did Tamati Tua sign for 2 years?
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As discussed earlier in the thread i think Hooker is somewhere they need to find someone.
It is one of those positions that seem to be key to a good team.
9 is the other spot they need an upgrade. Pulu just isn't the answer.
Im afraid however that both Parsons and Pulu are cemented in while Tana is in charge.Other than those two positions the building blocks seem to be there to make a decent team. They just need a decent architect and builder.
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I wonder if Isa Nacewa will join the Blues next season as an assistant coach after retiring from Leinster, he could be very useful
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@kiwimurph
yeah i'm aware thus why i asked, its very likely that he might become a coach but Leon and Isa are a bit same except Isa has played in more positions and Leon has played in more international tests..they are both also known for their kicking game, so maybe Isa might join another franchise (hopefully the Highlanders who will need a kicking coach to develop new playmakers after Sopoaga leaves this month) -
@kiwimurph
yeah i'm aware thus why i asked, its very likely that he might become a coach but Leon and Isa are a bit same except Isa has played in more positions and Leon has played in more international tests..they are both also known for their kicking game, so maybe Isa might join another franchise (hopefully the Highlanders who will need a kicking coach to develop new playmakers after Sopoaga leaves this month) -
@bones yeah his mistake was that he kept his NZ passport, he still has it and he never got around to getting a Fijian passport so basically he cannot stay in Ireland for much longer unless he gets a job there and i'm not sure Leinster are looking for a backline coach right now and also, Isa's family are all in NZ including his wife and kids so i don't see why he will stick around in Ireland unless he gets a major coaching gig which would allow him to move his whole family there, remember he "re-signed" with Leinster only for a season which dragged to 2 seasons s his visa has definitely run out..
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Brilliant news.
http://theblues.co.nz/nz-u20-trio-commit-to-the-blues/
Three players from the Blues and NZ U20s have been signed for the next two years. Congrats Harry Plummer, Taniela Tele’a and Hoskins Sotutu. -
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Fullback Michael Collins has re-signed with the Blues for 2019, believing that better days are just around the corner for the beleaguered franchise.
So confident is he, that he's prepared to stick around for
the long terma year...@antipodean said in Blues 2019:
Fullback Michael Collins has re-signed with the Blues for 2019, believing that better days are just around the corner for the beleaguered franchise.
So confident is he, that he's prepared to stick around for
the long terma year...Amusing as long as our crap coach. Maybe Leon has started with the broom...
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Players known to be signed for 2019:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2018–19_Super_Rugby_transfers#Blues
Alex Hodgman
Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Leni Apisai
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
Scott Scrafton
Patrick Tuipulotu
Jimmy Tupou
Blake Gibson
Hoskins Sotutu
Otere Black
Harry Plummer
Tanielu Tele’a
Sonny Bill Williams
Matt Duffie
Melani Nanai
Michael Collins -
With Black and Plummer there, where does that leave Perofeta in his development? He’s starting to find his feet with regular play but will likely have to share starts with Black next season.
