Blues 2019

Tim

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

Crucial

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.

Stargazer

@crucial You'd have to assume that Black will start and Perofeta will end up on the bench. Don't think Plummer will play that much in his first year?

nzzp

@stargazer said in Blues 2019:

@crucial You'd have to assume that Black will start and Perofeta will end up on the bench. Don't think Plummer will play that much in his first year?

Not any more. You'd have to see how they go in preseason, after Perofeta has ad a full season at the helm. That's more than Otere I think.

I don't particularly care which one gets the nod -- they have to be better than some of the 10s we've had recently

Northlandallday

@tim Moulds signed for 2 years, so has another year on contract with the Blues.

Tim

@northlandallday Have you got a link for that? If so I'll update the wiki.

Crucial

@nzzp said in Blues 2019:

@stargazer said in Blues 2019:

@crucial You'd have to assume that Black will start and Perofeta will end up on the bench. Don't think Plummer will play that much in his first year?

Not any more. You'd have to see how they go in preseason, after Perofeta has ad a full season at the helm. That's more than Otere I think.

I don't particularly care which one gets the nod -- they have to be better than some of the 10s we've had recently

Yeah. I just think it will be an interesting dynamic and at least one of the three will look to take their ambitions elsewhere depending on what happens. At the moment (according to that list) Perofeta isn't signed up yet. Will he commit for more than one year to keep options open?
There's also the question of whether their may be a spot in 2020 at the Highlanders. Will Gatland be the answer for them or will they be looking for someone else.

Tim

My guess of probable squad signings for 2019:

(38 players)

Prop

Alex Hodgman
Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Pauliasi Manu
Another TH x2
Another LH

Hooker

Matt Moulds
Leni Apisai
Another Hooker

Lock

Patrick Tuipulotu
Scott Scrafton
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
Josh Goodhue
Another Lock or Lock/6

Loose Forward

Blake Gibson
Dalton Papali'i
Akira Ioane
Hoskins Sotutu
Jimmy Tupou
Another 6 or 8
Another 7

Halfback

Augustine Pulu
Another Halfback x2

1st 5

Otere Black
Harry Plummer
Stephen Perofeta

Midfield

SBW
Rieko Ioane
Orbyn Leger
Tanielu Tele’a
Another Midfielder

Wing/Fullback

Matt Duffie
Melani Nanai
Michael Collins
Caleb Clarke
Tumua Manu

Additional Cover

Another Fullback

Tim

Additional player possibilities:

(Let me know if they are unavailable, opinions on the players or suggestions of other players welcome.)

Another TH x2

Marcel Renata, Mike Tamoaieta, Sione Mafileo, Isaac Salmon, Angus Ta'avao

Another LH

Ezekial Lindenmuth, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ross Wright, Jack Straker

Another Hooker

James Parsons, Ross Wright, Kurt Eklund

Another Lock or Lock/6

Quentin Strange, Scott Pierce, Ben Nee Nee, Mitchell Dunshea

Another 6 or 8

Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Pita Gus Sowakula, Mitchell Dunshea, Sam Slade

Another 7

Sione Havili, Kara Pryor, Jed Brown, Billy Harmon

Another Halfback x2

Jack Stratton, Jonathan Ruru, Carlos Price, Bryn Hall, Lewis Gjaltema, ~~Ere Enari~~, Richard Judd, Nico Costa

Another Midfielder

Tamati Tua, T.J. Faiane, Matty Johnson, Matt Vaega, Michael Little

Another Fullback

Shaun Stevenson

Crucial

Pickings look slim when you aren't the franchise of choice.

Northlandallday

@tim Shaun Stevenson? somehow I doubt he's not already signed to chiefs. If not he would make a great addition to the Blues.

Tim

@northlandallday said in Blues 2019:

Shaun Stevenson

Yeah, that's who I meant. As far as I know he is only signed to the end of this season for the Chiefs.

His contract with the Chiefs runs through to 2018, as it does with North Harbour - the province of his roots who he'll play for this season after two years with Waikato.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/89684040/shaun-stevenson-targets-an-all-blacks-jersey-ahead-of-a-big-year-with-the-chiefs

Crucial

Stevenson an example of a Blues area player (was an U18 Blues player) that had to leave to get a chance. At least a few are starting to drift back.

Chris

@Tim Ere Enari. signed until the end of 2019 with Crusaders

[link text](link url)https://crusaders.co.nz/news/1156-enari-ruled-out-of-debut-super-rugby-season

Tim

@chris Thanks dude.

Chris

@Tim No worries Mate keep up the good work

mimic

@crucial said in Blues 2019:

@nzzp said in Blues 2019:

@stargazer said in Blues 2019:

@crucial You'd have to assume that Black will start and Perofeta will end up on the bench. Don't think Plummer will play that much in his first year?

Not any more. You'd have to see how they go in preseason, after Perofeta has ad a full season at the helm. That's more than Otere I think.

I don't particularly care which one gets the nod -- they have to be better than some of the 10s we've had recently

Yeah. I just think it will be an interesting dynamic and at least one of the three will look to take their ambitions elsewhere depending on what happens. At the moment (according to that list) Perofeta isn't signed up yet. Will he commit for more than one year to keep options open?
There's also the question of whether their may be a spot in 2020 at the Highlanders. Will Gatland be the answer for them or will they be looking for someone else.

If I were the Blues I'd sign him up. Even if he doesn't manage to lock up the #10 jersey, I'd rather have him at fullback than Collins..
I'm sure as a first five, Perofeta has solid communication skills as well.. And we all know he can run, and has more pace the Collins.. Will also have the added bonus of being a 2nd playmaker from fullback

Northlandallday

@tim said in Blues 2019:

@northlandallday said in Blues 2019:

Shaun Stevenson

Yeah, that's who I meant. As far as I know he is only signed to the end of this season for the Chiefs.

That's the problem the franchises are very haphazard with their contract announcements. Some they announce and others they don't, it's weird. Social media isn't their strongest suit. Others will be deep in negotiations about now.

Crucial

@northlandallday said in Blues 2019:

@tim said in Blues 2019:

@northlandallday said in Blues 2019:

Shaun Stevenson

Yeah, that's who I meant. As far as I know he is only signed to the end of this season for the Chiefs.

That's the problem the franchises are very haphazard with their contract announcements. Some they announce and others they don't, it's weird. Social media isn't their strongest suit. Others will be deep in negotiations about now.

I don't think players are actually obliged to have their employment conditions publicised. Maybe they need to have their permission asked? Most say it isn't a problem then it can be referred to. Some just slip through the cracks as a minor signing that no amount of googling can find then it becomes a little sensitive when negotiations are going on.

Kiwidom

@tim No Akira Ioane on that list , is he off contract soon ? A mate spotted him in a Wellington hotel yesterday with the Canes coaches. He could be the replacement for Brad Shields for next season

The Silver Fern

Blues 2019