Blues 2024

[frugby]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2024:

In an interview on SENZ yesterday Cotter said that they only have 3 roster positions to fill, an Outside Back, a Midfielder and a Forward , but did not say which forward position.

Forward would be either a loosie or prop... that in itself probably depends whether they have got Mafileo over the line.

My gut instinct is they are probably after short-term players for the outside back and loosie spot as place-holders for Clark and Tangitau who will be with the 7s?

[Tim]

[Duluth]

Good addition

More specialist locks in 2024. This year there was a reliance on utilities

2023
Tuipulotu, Suafoa, Darry, Tucker, Robinson

2024 should be:
Tuipulotu, Suafoa, Darry, McWhannell, Annandale

[KiwiMurph]

Yep big fan of McWhannell, if he can stay fit I think he could have a bit of breakout season (big if). He's impressed in limited opportunities.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Duluth The other thing I like about this group is their ages.
EA - 22
SD - 23
LM - 24
CS - 25
If they all stay and develop well it ensures a solid locking group for sometime.

[Duluth]

@Daffy-Jaffy

Some pressure on Darry too. He had a couple of good games when he returned from injury but then reverted to being a little soft in contact

That's without knowing how good Annandale is. If he has a strong NPC, Darry could be ranked 5th out of the locks

[Bovidae]

How long has he signed for? The good thing is that McWhannell should be playing each week, and stay in NZ.

[Tim]

@Bovidae Unfortunately no contract info in the very brief announcement:

WELCOME LAGHLAN McWHANNELL — Blues Rugby

The Blues’ have a new recruit for 2024 with Laghlan McWhannell joining the Blues whānau. McWhannell is a 1.98m, 114kg lock who joins us from the Chiefs. He is a former New Zealand Under 20s representative and will add depth to our locking stocks for the 2024 season. We look forward to introducing

[TheMojoman]

Good signing. Hopefully we’ll see more of Suafoa in the backrow.

[Tim]

@TheMojoman I'd like to see a Suafoa, Papalii, Ioane combination (Ioane at 8 ) for some games.

[TheMojoman]

No truth to rumours that Akira would be moving elsewhere?

[Tim]

@TheMojoman Think it was mentioned that his agent was looking, but he decided to stay in Auckland. I think he has a partner who plays netball in the South Island.

[African Monkey]

@Tim She's back in Auckland playing for the Northern Stars.

[Tim]

[KiwiMurph]

@Tim Toeava signing incoming?

[Tim]

@KiwiMurph Hmm ... interesting theory. He is 37 though, so it might be a reference to the signing of his nephew, Annandale?

[Duluth]

2024 DRAW — Blues Rugby

Blues return North for Super Rugby opener The DHL Super Rugby Pacific draw is out for 2024 with the Blues set to make a return to Northland in the opening round of the competition. FULL 2024 DRAW HERE  The Blues kick off their campaign with a bang, hosting the Fijian Drua on Saturday

Blues vs Drua at Okara park in the first round

[Duluth]

https://www.blues.rugby/super-rugby-pacific-draw-2024

Interesting that all the matches in Auckland are TBC. I wonder if there's going to be some development at Eden Park

[Machpants]

Sat afternoon game in Whangarei? Yes please

[taniwharugby]

@Duluth been a long time coming, covid prevented games in 2020 (Jaguares) and 2021 (Highlanders I think) so that is great news.