Blues 2023
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@Tim said in Blues 2023:
All Blacks will probably be absent for quite a few games this year? Although Tuipulotu has been training with team earlier than other ABs, so he might be available for the full season.
What would a Blues team look like without ABs, but with Tuipulotu there?
1 Hodgman
2 Eklund
3 Renata
4 Tucker/Darry/Robinson
5 Tuipulotu
6 Robinson/Suafoa/Plumtree
7 Choat/Segner
8 Suafoa/Plumtree/Segner
9 Nock
10 Plummer/Sullivan
11 Lam
12 Tele'a/Evans
13 Heem
14 Kneepkens/Tele'a
15 Sullivan/Kneepkens/McKenzie16 Vikena
17 James Lay/Fusitua
18 James or Jordan Lay/Ahio?
19 Darry/Tucker/Robinson
20 Segner etc
21 Funaki
22 McKenzie
23 Evans etcHalfback and First Five suffer a lot, as would tighthead prop. Loose forwards not too bad with three ABs out. Would like to see Funaki develop to be ahead of Nock this year. Also Vikena overtaking Eklund. Obviously staggering AB absences will be important. e.g. Barrett/Perofeta, and Tu'ungufasi/Laulala.
Two more questions:
Will Barrett play 15?
Will Tu'ungufasi play loosehead?
That is still a strong match day squad. Great to see our depth coming through.
I suspect Beaudy will play 10 & interchange with Perofeta. Actually helps Stevie IMO being able to alternate seamlessly between the two. He’s battling Damian McDonald for a place in RWC as it’s hard to see AB’s taking both.
@TheMojoman said in Blues 2023:
@Tim said in Blues 2023:
All Blacks will probably be absent for quite a few games this year? Although Tuipulotu has been training with team earlier than other ABs, so he might be available for the full season.
What would a Blues team look like without ABs, but with Tuipulotu there?
1 Hodgman
2 Eklund
3 Renata
4 Tucker/Darry/Robinson
5 Tuipulotu
6 Robinson/Suafoa/Plumtree
7 Choat/Segner
8 Suafoa/Plumtree/Segner
9 Nock
10 Plummer/Sullivan
11 Lam
12 Tele'a/Evans
13 Heem
14 Kneepkens/Tele'a
15 Sullivan/Kneepkens/McKenzie16 Vikena
17 James Lay/Fusitua
18 James or Jordan Lay/Ahio?
19 Darry/Tucker/Robinson
20 Segner etc
21 Funaki
22 McKenzie
23 Evans etcHalfback and First Five suffer a lot, as would tighthead prop. Loose forwards not too bad with three ABs out. Would like to see Funaki develop to be ahead of Nock this year. Also Vikena overtaking Eklund. Obviously staggering AB absences will be important. e.g. Barrett/Perofeta, and Tu'ungufasi/Laulala.
Two more questions:
Will Barrett play 15?
Will Tu'ungufasi play loosehead?
That is still a strong match day squad. Great to see our depth coming through.
I suspect Beaudy will play 10 & interchange with Perofeta. Actually helps Stevie IMO being able to alternate seamlessly between the two. He’s battling Damian McDonald for a place in RWC as it’s hard to see AB’s taking both.
It's pretty unlikely that Rangi would rest all test players at same time isn't it? Be fairly poor coaching if he does.
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The Saturday 11/02 pre-season game v Canes that could not be played at Mahurangi Rugby Club due to pitch damage is now at Waitamata RFC.
The second game is v Chiefs at Pukekohe Friday 17/02. -
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@Daffy-Jaffy the best news out of that video is the referees going north for the 6N
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I wonder if the Waitamata Club has suffered any flood damage putting this event also at risk after the move from Mahurangi.
https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/blues-fest23-heads-west?fbclid=IwAR2A33FpZCjYVaDvVk7DNFnCLIYfdLj60rku8Ns8O1NO_Q6SfStk5M849DI -
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https://www.instagram.com/p/CobWr8HyqoY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Robinson playing lock.
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https://www.instagram.com/p/CobWr8HyqoY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Robinson playing lock.
@Tim I am pleased to see Leo Gordon involved with the squad. He impressed me playing for the NZu19's in SA along side Tuitupo . With the rumours of RTS possibly gone next year there may be a midfield spot available.
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https://www.instagram.com/p/CobWr8HyqoY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Robinson playing lock.
@Tim It's good to see that all non-AB squadies (except for the perennially injured Tanielu Tele'a) are fit and playing this weekend . Also interesting that James Lay, who was going well at loosehead in 2021 before his injury, is playing Tighthead. Maybe indicates a plan to use Ofa at Loosehead this season?
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https://www.facebook.com/theblues/videos/724245162604555
Craig, Murray, McGahan, i think McKenzie and one other who I don't recognise being thanked and farewelled. I thought both McKenzie and Craig went well yesterday. It appears they have kept Beehre with the squad rather than Craig. -
https://www.facebook.com/theblues/videos/724245162604555
Craig, Murray, McGahan, i think McKenzie and one other who I don't recognise being thanked and farewelled. I thought both McKenzie and Craig went well yesterday. It appears they have kept Beehre with the squad rather than Craig.@Daffy-Jaffy Josh Beehre has bulked up big time , looks to me like he’s put on a good 10-12kgs ,he definitely out bulked both Craig and Tucker when they were standing around at the games end
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I might be reading too much into it and it could just be due to where players were standing in the changing room beforehand but good to see Zarn S at the front there taking some leadership. Shows good confidence.
For the good of NZ rugby that guy needs to be given more gametime this year. I don't wish injury on anyone but it appears he'll be riding the pine whenever BB and Perofeta are available.
He should have been sent to the Highlanders on secondment.
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I might be reading too much into it and it could just be due to where players were standing in the changing room beforehand but good to see Zarn S at the front there taking some leadership. Shows good confidence.
For the good of NZ rugby that guy needs to be given more gametime this year. I don't wish injury on anyone but it appears he'll be riding the pine whenever BB and Perofeta are available.
He should have been sent to the Highlanders on secondment.@Crucial said in Blues 2023:
I might be reading too much into it and it could just be due to where players were standing in the changing room beforehand but good to see Zarn S at the front there taking some leadership. Shows good confidence.
For the good of NZ rugby that guy needs to be given more gametime this year. I don't wish injury on anyone but it appears he'll be riding the pine whenever BB and Perofeta are available.
He should have been sent to the Highlanders on secondment.I wouldn't mind him getting some gametime at 10 when Beaudy is out, that massive boot of his could be a huge asset for the Blues. Otherwise I'm happy for him to come and join his bro at the Canes.
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@Crucial said in Blues 2023:
I might be reading too much into it and it could just be due to where players were standing in the changing room beforehand but good to see Zarn S at the front there taking some leadership. Shows good confidence.
For the good of NZ rugby that guy needs to be given more gametime this year. I don't wish injury on anyone but it appears he'll be riding the pine whenever BB and Perofeta are available.
He should have been sent to the Highlanders on secondment.I wouldn't mind him getting some gametime at 10 when Beaudy is out, that massive boot of his could be a huge asset for the Blues. Otherwise I'm happy for him to come and join his bro at the Canes.
@Canes4life said in Blues 2023:
@Crucial said in Blues 2023:
I might be reading too much into it and it could just be due to where players were standing in the changing room beforehand but good to see Zarn S at the front there taking some leadership. Shows good confidence.
For the good of NZ rugby that guy needs to be given more gametime this year. I don't wish injury on anyone but it appears he'll be riding the pine whenever BB and Perofeta are available.
He should have been sent to the Highlanders on secondment.I wouldn't mind him getting some gametime at 10 when Beaudy is out, that massive boot of his could be a huge asset for the Blues. Otherwise I'm happy for him to come and join his bro at the Canes.
Don't you keep telling us how great your young 10s and 15s are? Besides, he is from HB so isn't eligible for the Canes
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I might be reading too much into it and it could just be due to where players were standing in the changing room beforehand but good to see Zarn S at the front there taking some leadership. Shows good confidence.
For the good of NZ rugby that guy needs to be given more gametime this year. I don't wish injury on anyone but it appears he'll be riding the pine whenever BB and Perofeta are available.
He should have been sent to the Highlanders on secondment.@Crucial said in Blues 2023:
He should have been sent to the Highlanders on secondment.
It’s a good thought he probably would be the starting Fullback at the Landers but as Blues supporter Yeah ,Nah
