Blues 2021

[macmanus]

@KiwiMurph Niuia over Eklund...

[Daffy Jaffy]

ins and outs -

Vikena for Ekland
Lay - Lindenmuth
Laulala -Mafileo
Darry - Tucker
Plumtree - Carroll
Hunt - Lamborn
Lam - Marchant
R-Kneepkins - Duffie
Macilai-Tori - Hyland
Sullivan - Barrett
TBC? - Reidlinger-Kapa or
TBC? - Heighton
gone not replaced - Page.

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Blues 2021:

Depth in midfield is a big concern.

Probably looking at utilities providing cover? AJ Lam often plays 13 at club level. Plummer covers 12

Hopefully Tele'a's bad luck with injuries is over

[Snowy]

@Duluth said in Blues 2021:

Probably looking at utilities providing cover? AJ Lam often plays 13 at club level. Plummer covers 12

Yeah was just going to say that too. Plummer will cover 12.

If there is one to be to be added, and it is a midfielder, who else is out there?

[Dice]

@Snowy Ray Nu'u, Tei Walden and Stacey Ili would be 3 guys I'd have a look at.

Ili is the least likely to be picked, because he's played for Samoa and is a bit older, but he's the most exciting option. He's a local boy though, and the brother of Tall Blacks player, Shea Ili.

[Snowy]

@Dice Had forgotten about Tei Walden. He's still in the 'Landers WTG though isn't he. I don't know how that contracting works?

[Dice]

@Snowy Unless I've missed something, it doesn't seem he's with the Highlanders at all.

News | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership

Keep up to date and get breaking Highlanders news first! See the latest scores, team standings and player news.

Not back from 2020: Jack Whetton (NSW), Dillon Hunt (Blues), Rob Thompson ( Japan) Bryn Gatland (Chiefs), Jesse Parete (Japan), Josh Iosefa-Scott, Zane Kapeli, Kirisi Kuridrani, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Nabura, Josh McKay

[Snowy]

@Dice Cheers. Hadn't seen that.

[Bovidae]

Walden has an achilles injury so could take a while to fully recover.

[Daffy Jaffy]

New Blood -

[Dice]

@Daffy-Jaffy When looking at that, I think we've upgraded our roster this season.

Luteru Tolai would be the most unlucky one from last season's team to not be in the team again.

He's only 22, so hopefully we pick him up again after 2021 when Parsons and Niua should be off contract.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae Yeah, but he suffered that injury after it became clear that the Highlanders weren't going to re-sign him. So it's not due to his injury that he doesn't have a Highlanders contract.

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer I was meaning that the injury could be the reason that Walden wasn't picked up by another team (e.g., Chiefs, Blues).

[KiwiMurph]

Interestingly - the 2019 Blues development player of the year was a midfielder - Lemeki Namoa - but he's fallen away - he has been injured and then could only make Auckland B squad this year.

[Stargazer]

The Blues Podcast: Episode 5: Squad Naming with Leon MacDonald

https://bluesrugbyteam.buzzsprout.com/886006/6661013-episode-5-squad-naming-with-leon-macdonald

[KiwiMurph]

@Stargazer some interesting nuggets there

• They see Kneepkens as a fullback

• Hopeful Vikena can play later in the year

• Confirmed the final spot is a midfielder - just finalising negotiations

[Nogusta]

@Tim said in Blues 2021:

Depth in midfield is a big concern.

Will be tested early on with TJs injury keeping him out until end of March

[nzzp]

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2021:

@Stargazer some interesting nuggets there

• Confirmed the final spot is a midfielder - just finalising negotiations

Troll the Fern!

SBW

[Kirwan]

@nzzp said in Blues 2021:

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2021:

@Stargazer some interesting nuggets there

• Confirmed the final spot is a midfielder - just finalising negotiations

Troll the Fern!

SBW

Troll the cantabs, Goodhue to come home to join his brother!

[cgrant]

So no Choat but Tremain. Weird !