Blues 2020

Tim

Any reason why Finlay Christie didn't play? Injured?

Yeetyaah

Bovidae

Ruru played the majority of the game for the Blues, as did TTT for the Chiefs. You had a typical pre-season situation where the Chiefs' 3rd halfback (Carter) ended the game on the wing.

Duluth

Barrett has been working with Dave Alred who was Wilkinson’s kicking coach

KiwiMurph

Already known but Tuipulotu confirmed as captain for 2020.

https://blues.rugby/tuipulotu-proud-to-lead-the-blues/


All Black lock Patrick Tuipulotu was today confirmed as captain of the Blues for the 2020 Investec Super Rugby competition.

Tuipulotu was the co-captain in 2019 and assumes sole captaincy of the team for this year.

The 26-year-old has played 67 times for the Blues since making his debut and while he has also earned 25 caps for the All Blacks.

Head coach Leon MacDonald said that Tuipulotu was their first choice as leader of the team.

“It is a role he co-shared with Blake Gibson last season but Blake is keen to prioritise his on-field endeavours this year, after he has battled through injuries in recent seasons,” said MacDonald.

“Patrick is a standout international player and a critical part of our pack on the field.

“Off the field he is massively respected. He may be quiet-spoken, but when Patrick speaks, everyone listens.”

Tuipulotu said he was humbled and honoured to accept the role as captain.

“It is a privilege to be leader of this club and this team and a role I do not take lightly,” said Tuipulotu.

“I am driven to lead a group of guys who are hard-working and very proud to live in this great city and represent the Blues.

“While I have the honour of captaining this team, there are a number of experienced players who are leaders in this club. And we are all focussed on being the best we can be and at the same time continue to love this game.”

Tuipulotu will be on the sideline for the final pre-season game against the Hurricanes at Onewa Domain on Friday at 3pm but will be available to play in the opening round of the Investec Super Rugby when the Blues host perennial rivals, the Chiefs at Eden Park on Friday 31 January at the earlier time of 7.05pm.

Duluth

https://blues.rugby/marchant-to-start-vs-hurricanes/
Blues Team vs the Hurricanes tomorrow

1 Alex Hodgman
2 Ray Niuia
3 Karl Tu’inukuafe
4 Aaron Carroll
5 James Tucker
6 Dalton Papalii
7 Tony Lamborn
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Jonathan Ruru
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Mark Telea
12 TJ Faiane (c)
13 Joe Marchant
14 Jordan Hyland
15 Emoni Narawa

Reserves:
18 Ezekiel Lindenmuth
16 Luteru Tolai
3 Marcel Renata
4 Jacob Pierce
5 Josh Goodhue
6 Tom Robinson
7 Blake Gibson
8 Akira Ioane
9 Sam Nock
10 Harry Plummer
11 Matt Duffie
17 Tevita Mafileo
21 Lewis Gjaltema
19 Sam Caird
20 Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
13 Tamati Tua
16 Soane Vikena

I guess Eklund is injured?

KiwiMurph

Still no sign of Finlay Christie?

That's a worry for the Blues next week - up against the Chiefs with handbrake Ruru again at 9.

Pleased to see players tried in some different positions - Narawa at 15 was very successful for BOP.

Duluth

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2020:

Narawa at 15 was very successful for BOP

He was freakish on attack for them. I hope he has a good kicking game too. He didn't have to use it much at that level

Tim

Interesting to see Karl T start at tighthead. Is Sione Mafileo injured?

Anyone know when Cowley-Tuioti is back?

Bovidae

I think Tucker will prove to be a great addition to the Blues. I noticed he was the lineout caller when on the field in Waihi.

Tim

Local fans will welcome Harbour ‘s All Black Karl Tu’inukafe who will also play the first half, back to full fitness after off-season surgery..

taniwharugby

Good to see Caird still there (saw he was on the news article last night) he seems a very talented fella with a big ticker, shame the Blues didnt pick him up fulltime when they had the chance, surprised Tua is, guess they see some potential in him being so young, but outside his debut season for Northland, he has struggled with injury and form...

Stargazer

The numbers in that team list are a bit confusing.

Duluth

@taniwharugby said in Blues 2020:

surprised Tua is, guess they see some potential in him being so young, but outside his debut season for Northland, he has struggled with injury and form...

Yeah, he started the first game ahead of full squad members. It is surprising.. maybe he's training well?

It could be injuries too? I assume Tele'a is injured

taniwharugby

@Duluth he is a beast in the gym apparently, so probably ticking the off-field stuff.

Be good to see him do well, has the physical attributes to do well, but seems his problem is between his ears.

KiwiMurph

@taniwharugby that broken hand incident was not a great look. Hopefully he is growing up.

Chris B.

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2020:

Still no sign of Finlay Christie?

That's a worry for the Blues next week - up against the Chiefs with handbrake Ruru again at 9.

Pleased to see players tried in some different positions - Narawa at 15 was very successful for BOP.

Not sure I'd pin too many hopes on Finlay Christie being a halfback saviour.

He'll be different to Ruru, Pulu and Nock - but, I'm not sure he's better.

I guess one advantage is that he's spent his M10 Cup career playing in Leon's systems.

Nepia

@Chris-B said in Blues 2020:

Not sure I'd pin too many hopes on Finlay Christie being a halfback saviour.

I too was surprised by anyone wanting Christie in their team ... his only use is filling the ginga quota in teams.

What is up with glamour province and Crusaders number one Ta$man, you have multiple All Blacks in the same position, can send a B team jaunting around the world, yet you have Christie at halfback.

Chris B.

@Nepia One thing in Finlay's favour is that our reserve halfback, Uchida, looked like a gun in his bench appearances - but, when he got a start he was poor. I had to shut down my minor campaign for Uchida to start (and he went back to looking a gun in the last 20 minutes).

I concluded that being the starting halfback is a pretty tough gig - seen a bit similar with Hall and Drummond at times.

Nepia

@Chris-B said in Blues 2020:

@Nepia One thing in Finlay's favour is that our reserve halfback, Uchida, looked like a gun in his bench appearances - but, when he got a start he was poor. I had to shut down my minor campaign for Uchida to start (and he went back to looking a gun in the last 20 minutes).

I concluded that being the starting halfback is a pretty tough gig - seen a bit similar with Hall and Drummond at times.

I would have thought you'd have snapped up Enari from Canterbury since they already have their AB halfback in Drummond?

At any rate, keep your cheque book away from Fakatava.

The Silver Fern

Blues 2020