Blues 2024

[Canes4life]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzZ_Pr2vROx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[Duluth]

Anyone have an opinion on James Thompson? Have never watched him closely

[Bovidae]

I thought that Thompson was better than Tupou for CM. The Blues have the former Hautapu locking combo now.

[Duluth]

Good to see Lucas Cashmore selected plus Plummer called a midfielder and Sullivan a fullback

[KiwiMurph]

Pretty happy with that squad - good to see some exciting youth - excited to see what Cotter and O'Halloran can do in a post-Razor Super world.

[Duluth]

@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2024:

Pretty happy with that squad - good to see some exciting youth - excited to see what Cotter and O'Halloran can do in a post-Razor Super world.

Yeah not much complain about. Underwhelmed by Sheck and don't know enough about Thompson but generally they've recruited well.

[Duluth]

A few comments from Cotter here:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/301006074/super-rugby-pacific-vern-cotter-ready-to-finish-blues-job-that-leon-macdonald-started

[Tim]

Will echo comments that squad is good but we may struggle at prop. Should have signed Ahio.

[Tim]

Any videos of James Thompson?

[Bovidae]

Watch the CM-BOP game where Thompson was really good. He's not the tallest lock but has a good workrate, ironically like Tucker. Thompson moved to CM from Waikato this year.

[Duluth]

The Blues website suggests Thompson will be used in the loose forwards:

"is a loose forward who can do a job at lock"

"joins the Blues in a hotly contested area of the park. He will be looking to push for game time with the fellow loose forwards in the squad"

[KiwiMurph]

I like Suafoa named as a loosie - needs more time there

[Tim]

Any mention of who will be training with the squad?

Akira Ioane to be out for a while?

[Tim]

First choice 23?

1 Tu'ungufasi
2 Riccitelli
3 Ta'avao
4 McWhannell
5 Tuipulotu
6 Suafoa
7 Papalii
8 Ioane

9 Christie
10 Perofeta
11 Clarke
12 ?
13 Ioane
14 Telea
15 Sullivan

16 Vikena
17 Fusitu’a
18 ?
19 Beehre/Darry
20 Sotutu/Segner/Choat
21 Nock
22 ?
23 ?

I'd expect Plummer to be in 23. Big year for Vikena. Is Reneta up to the standard required?

[Bones]

@Tim no love for Heem?

[Tim]

@Bones He's getting on, but might be there.

[African Monkey]

@Tim I wouldn't be suprised if Ta'avao is on the bench for the big games with Lay starting at loosehead.

Renata will fill in for the smaller games.

[Billy Tell]

Do Blues fans think Anton Segner will ever make AB grade? The fact the crusaders under SR let him go is not a great portent.

[African Monkey]

@Billy-Tell Solid player who can play anywhere in the back row, but at this stage, no. He's probably around the same level as Choat/Christie/Harmon. That could be his ceiling but the jury is still out I feel as to how far he can go.

[sparky]

Really great depth in the back row. Some super stars in the backs. There’ll be there in the later weeks of the playoffs. Lack of quality at Tight Head Prop, Half Back and Second Five may haunt them in the end. Potential Finalists.