Blues 2024
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But some of it must fall on the head coach. His team were patently unready. Was that a mindset thing? A mental weakness? Are these Blues players still, after all these years, bereft of the sort of steel, fortitude, fabric that is clearly imbued in the Crusaders, and Chiefs for that matter? It would have been nice to ask MacDonald some of these questions, but,unlike Hurricanes coach Jason Holland, he has gone silent at the end of his time in franchise footy. His organisation has put the shutters up, right when questions about them are at their loudest. Like why was chief assistant coach Tom Coventry never heard from the entire season? What happened with No 8 Hoskins Sotutu for him to drop completely off the radar of the national selectors? Why did normally cool, collected types like Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane and Dalton Papalii seem like headless chooks at OT Stadium on Friday? -
@Tim maybe Tangitau to join Laidlaw?
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@Chris said in Blues 2023:
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens Maybe heading to the Crusaders
My pick was the Chiefs, because I think Shaun Stevenson will either head offshore, join the NRL... or potentially even have a stab at 7s before he leaves? If JRK wants to play 15, that is a massive opening. Has just re-signed with Taranaki for two years, so all will be revealed soon.
@Canes4life said in Blues 2023:
@Tim maybe Tangitau to join Laidlaw?
Hard to imagine the Blues haven't locked up Tanigtau long-term, but once again, I'd be questioning the choices of pretty much any outside back, if they move to another team anywhere other than the Landers (Unless there is a fullback opening at the Chiefs). All the other teams are stacked with established players, and as Lam and JRK have shown, you just end up sitting in the stands.
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https://www.facebook.com/reel/964485911528027
Confirmed leaving: Hodgman, Laulala, Tucker, Plumtree, Robinson, Barrett, Tangitau, JRK.
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So we could be looking for as many as three locks, with Edward Annandale presumably one of them. Also could be after three props, which is a lot of turnover for the tight five.
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@Chris Having wasted three years sitting on the Blues bench, I'd have no idea why he'd want to do that - sit behind Will Jordan. If that is the case, Fihaki would surely be leaving.
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@frugby
No Fihaki now seen as a wing option after his last few games not FB anymore.
Jordan will not play every game due to AB protocol and always has the Migraine issues to deal with.
JRK would get plenty of game time.
Not confirmed as yet.@Chris Easy to say, but having seen Patafilo, Naholo, Fihaki etc. be starved of minutes I'd be sceptical. If he isn't injured, Jordan starts 80% of the games next season you'd suggest. Doesn't leave many games to push a case for a spot on the wing or to just generally play FB.
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@Chris Easy to say, but having seen Patafilo, Naholo, Fihaki etc. be starved of minutes I'd be sceptical. If he isn't injured, Jordan starts 80% of the games next season you'd suggest. Doesn't leave many games to push a case for a spot on the wing or to just generally play FB.
@frugby said in Blues 2023:
@Chris Easy to say, but having seen Patafilo, Naholo, Fihaki etc. be starved of minutes I'd be sceptical. If he isn't injured, Jordan starts 80% of the games next season you'd suggest. Doesn't leave many games to push a case for a spot on the wing or to just generally play FB.
I would assume he would go there looking for a wing spot (and maybe some occasional games at FB)? If not the Saders, the Landers would be the only option and it seems no one wants to go there.
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Wonder if we will see this XV at some stage next year:
1 Fusitua
2 Riccitelli
3 Tu'ungufasi
4 Darry
5 Tuipulotu
6 Suafoa
7 Papalii
8 Ioane
9 Nock
10 Perofeta
11 Clarke
12 Evans
13 Ioane
14 Telea
15 Sullivan -
@Tim I thought Steven Harris said Evans was out of favour and was seeking an early release?
@frugby from Auckland, not Blues, I know some Aucklanders dont get the distinction
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@Chris Easy to say, but having seen Patafilo, Naholo, Fihaki etc. be starved of minutes I'd be sceptical. If he isn't injured, Jordan starts 80% of the games next season you'd suggest. Doesn't leave many games to push a case for a spot on the wing or to just generally play FB.
