Blues 2022

[Tim]

@cgrant Yeah, he was WTG last year, and maybe called into squad? Only committed to rugby after getting his degree, so at 24 he could improve a lot.

[Nogusta]

@tim add Suafoa to the list. Loosie/lock?

[Tim]

@nogusta Full contract?

[Tim]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300447532/lockdown-blues-force-leon-macdonald-into-rethink-over-plans-for-roger-tuivasasheck

[Daffy Jaffy]

@yeetyaah said in Blues 2022:

Nisbo confirmed James Tucker back to the Brumbies

In an article on stuff today Hinton says that Tucker will be at the Blues. Who do we believe?
If so the Lock group may be Romano, Goodhue, Tucker, Darry, Plumtree. With Robinson and Suafoa covering 6/Lock.

[TJ]

@daffy-jaffy I've only seen Plumtree play a few times but surely he's more of a 6 than a lock? Particularly at Super level.

[bobily2]

@tj said in Blues 2022:

@daffy-jaffy I've only seen Plumtree play a few times but surely he's more of a 6 than a lock? Particularly at Super level.

Probably, but we (NZ) struggle with depth at lock

[Stargazer]

In the mean time, Geoff Cridge still seems to be without a SR contract. Mind-boggling. One of the best locks in NPC with Tom Parsons.

[Steven Harris]

@daffy-jaffy i do wonder if James Tucker signed with the Brumbies at the top of the year thinking he had no chance of picking up an NZ contract but the departure of PT ,GTC and Pearce has seen Coventry get involved,from what i have heard he has been keen on James Tucker for a while.
Not to mention the intervention of Covid 19 upsetting the applecart.
As for Nisbo,i am more likely to believe Hinton

[Daffy Jaffy]

@steven-harris Any update on Goodhue's head knock?

[Steven Harris]

@daffy-jaffy he stayed in for an extra few hours at Rotorua hospital after wednesday eveings game as a precaution ,early signs ok,but there was an issue with his neck as well..its a concern no question,will do a bit of a follow up during the week

[Nogusta]

@tim yep. Turned down a 2 year full contract at MP for 1 year draft at the Blues.

[Tim]

@nogusta Thanks. Interesting news.

[george33]

@tim looks like Corey Evans there.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@nogusta Is a 'draft contract' for the players outside the 38 full contracts? What we used to call the wider training group.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@george33 I saw the picture on Auckland's insta page of Evans training today with a small group of Blues players. Sione Ahio was also there. I will be pleased if Evans' contract is confimed. I rate his potential, especially as a specialist 12 were we need depth.

[Nogusta]

@daffy-jaffy draft players are part of the fulltime squad. Max salary of $50k i think?

https://www.lawinsider.com/clause/nz-rugby-draft-contracts

[Daffy Jaffy]

Lay out - Lay in -
https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/lay-brothers-follow-each-others-footsteps

[Tim]

Who are we looking at for XXIIIs, with and without ABs?

1st choice:

1 Hodgman
2 Eklund
3 Laulala
4 Goodhue
5 Robinson
6 R Ioane
7 Papalii
8 Sotutu

9 Christie
10 B Barrett
11 Clarke
12 Plummer
13 R Ioane
14 Telea
15 Sullivan

16 Vikena
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Tu'ungafasi
19 Darry
20 Choat
21 Nock
22 RTS/Perofeta
23 Heem/Tele'a

[Tim]

Looking at AB cover in the training squad, we will need:

1 x Loosehead Prop

Sione Ahio

2 x Tighthead Props

Josh Fusitua

1 x Openside Flanker

Cameron Church

1 x Blindside Flanker

1 x Number Eight

Lini Ekeuasi

1x Halfback

1x FIrst Five

1x Centre