Blues 2025
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The NPC becomes doubly important for the Blues with possibly upwards of 7 players on the move maybe 8 if you counted Angus Ta’avao , Ofa Tuangafasi depending on wether he recovers from his neck injury ,Cameron Suafua unlikely to return and one other that’s heading offshore
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Hearing another Blues player is looking to be released from his contract and is heading to Japan more details to come
@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2025:
Hearing another Blues player is looking to be released from his contract and is heading to Japan more details to come
Any update here fella?
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@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2025:
Hearing another Blues player is looking to be released from his contract and is heading to Japan more details to come
Any update here fella?
@Landers92 i can confirm its Sam Nock he put through his release papers last week ,so just waiting on the Blues to sign it off hes picked up a contract with a Japanese club
Bit of bugger for Northland on the back of losing Lisati Milo Harris to France , Nock sitting on 86 games for the Taniwha -
@Landers92 i can confirm its Sam Nock he put through his release papers last week ,so just waiting on the Blues to sign it off hes picked up a contract with a Japanese club
Bit of bugger for Northland on the back of losing Lisati Milo Harris to France , Nock sitting on 86 games for the Taniwha@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2025:
@Landers92 i can confirm its Sam Nock he put through his release papers last week ,so just waiting on the Blues to sign it off hes picked up a contract with a Japanese club
Bit of bugger for Northland on the back of losing Lisati Milo Harris to France , Nock sitting on 86 games for the TaniwhaAll the best to him. Yes, he probably didn't reach the heights we all thought he was going to post school days, but he has been a loyal servant to the Blues and Northland, and deserves a good payday at this point in his career.
As I keep saying, the Blues sides of the late 2010s to this present point is slowly being split apart and the side is heading into a rebuild.
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@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2025:
@Landers92 i can confirm its Sam Nock he put through his release papers last week ,so just waiting on the Blues to sign it off hes picked up a contract with a Japanese club
Bit of bugger for Northland on the back of losing Lisati Milo Harris to France , Nock sitting on 86 games for the TaniwhaAll the best to him. Yes, he probably didn't reach the heights we all thought he was going to post school days, but he has been a loyal servant to the Blues and Northland, and deserves a good payday at this point in his career.
As I keep saying, the Blues sides of the late 2010s to this present point is slowly being split apart and the side is heading into a rebuild.
@African-Monkey you pretty much summed up his time at the Blues perfectly had all the skills to succeed at the highest level but unlike the very best halfbacks around they boss the ruck area and the space around them
Sam had an opportunity to go to the Crusaders when Bryn Hall moved on but decided to stay with the Blues such is his passion for the region not to mention hes good friends with several of the lads at the Blues
Whilst i respect his decision i reckon he missed a trick not trying out a new challenge
However all the best to him -
@African-Monkey you pretty much summed up his time at the Blues perfectly had all the skills to succeed at the highest level but unlike the very best halfbacks around they boss the ruck area and the space around them
Sam had an opportunity to go to the Crusaders when Bryn Hall moved on but decided to stay with the Blues such is his passion for the region not to mention hes good friends with several of the lads at the Blues
Whilst i respect his decision i reckon he missed a trick not trying out a new challenge
However all the best to him@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2025:
@African-Monkey you pretty much summed up his time at the Blues perfectly had all the skills to succeed at the highest level but unlike the very best halfbacks around they boss the ruck area and the space around them
Sam had an opportunity to go to the Crusaders when Bryn Hall moved on but decided to stay with the Blues such is his passion for the region not to mention hes good friends with several of the lads at the Blues
Whilst i respect his decision i reckon he missed a trick not trying out a new challenge
However all the best to himWas a tough time being a Blues halfback too when we were struggling and the Crusaders virtually had the starting AB pack at the time, made it very easy for any halfback down there, so yeah, I think you may be right on that one.
The only halfback that could have changed the Blues side back then from 9 was TJ Perenara, a man who would take things upon himself with a pack going backwards. It was a tough era and Nock's confidence took a big hit in it I feel.
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@brodean said in Blues 2025:
Grindlay is the biggest waste of talent since Rob Rush and Taine Plumtree. Just straight up squandered by the Blues coaching staff.
Blues coaches would argue it was Grindlay and Rush who squandered their opportunities.
Plumtree was just unlucky playing in the strength of the team at the time at loose forward.
@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2025:
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
Grindlay is the biggest waste of talent since Rob Rush and Taine Plumtree. Just straight up squandered by the Blues coaching staff.
Blues coaches would argue it was Grindlay and Rush who squandered their opportunities.
Plumtree was just unlucky playing in the strength of the team at the time at loose forward.
How did Grindlay waste his opportunity? He didn't get selected once this year. He played really well for the Blues in the 1 opportunity he did get.
He improved his fitness a lot and played two strong seasons for Taranaki.
His NPC work was far better than Taeles error ridden season last year.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2025:
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
Grindlay is the biggest waste of talent since Rob Rush and Taine Plumtree. Just straight up squandered by the Blues coaching staff.
Blues coaches would argue it was Grindlay and Rush who squandered their opportunities.
Plumtree was just unlucky playing in the strength of the team at the time at loose forward.
How did Grindlay waste his opportunity? He didn't get selected once this year. He played really well for the Blues in the 1 opportunity he did get.
He improved his fitness a lot and played two strong seasons for Taranaki.
His NPC work was far better than Taeles error ridden season last year.
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
How did Grindlay waste his opportunity? He didn't get selected once this year. He played really well for the Blues in the 1 opportunity he did get.
He improved his fitness a lot and played two strong seasons for Taranaki.
His NPC work was far better than Taeles error ridden season last year.
It doesn't take much to read between the lines
Grindlay signed a two year deal for the Blues (24/25)
The 1 game he played in 2024 was only from the bench and that only occurred because there were late changes - he wasn't even named in the initial 23.
Taele was only signed for 2025 and leapfrogged him for playing time and signed a deal for 2026
It's pretty obvious Grindlay was not impressing off the field/training/behind the scenes.
I'd venture the Blues were hoping for a hell of a lot more when they signed him to a 2 year deal.
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@brodean said in Blues 2025:
How did Grindlay waste his opportunity? He didn't get selected once this year. He played really well for the Blues in the 1 opportunity he did get.
He improved his fitness a lot and played two strong seasons for Taranaki.
His NPC work was far better than Taeles error ridden season last year.
It doesn't take much to read between the lines
Grindlay signed a two year deal for the Blues (24/25)
The 1 game he played in 2024 was only from the bench and that only occurred because there were late changes - he wasn't even named in the initial 23.
Taele was only signed for 2025 and leapfrogged him for playing time and signed a deal for 2026
It's pretty obvious Grindlay was not impressing off the field/training/behind the scenes.
I'd venture the Blues were hoping for a hell of a lot more when they signed him to a 2 year deal.
@KiwiMurph was probably signed by the previous coach too
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@brodean said in Blues 2025:
How did Grindlay waste his opportunity? He didn't get selected once this year. He played really well for the Blues in the 1 opportunity he did get.
He improved his fitness a lot and played two strong seasons for Taranaki.
His NPC work was far better than Taeles error ridden season last year.
It doesn't take much to read between the lines
Grindlay signed a two year deal for the Blues (24/25)
The 1 game he played in 2024 was only from the bench and that only occurred because there were late changes - he wasn't even named in the initial 23.
Taele was only signed for 2025 and leapfrogged him for playing time and signed a deal for 2026
It's pretty obvious Grindlay was not impressing off the field/training/behind the scenes.
I'd venture the Blues were hoping for a hell of a lot more when they signed him to a 2 year deal.
@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2025:
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
How did Grindlay waste his opportunity? He didn't get selected once this year. He played really well for the Blues in the 1 opportunity he did get.
He improved his fitness a lot and played two strong seasons for Taranaki.
His NPC work was far better than Taeles error ridden season last year.
It doesn't take much to read between the lines
Grindlay signed a two year deal for the Blues (24/25)
The 1 game he played in 2024 was only from the bench and that only occurred because there were late changes - he wasn't even named in the initial 23.
Taele was only signed for 2025 and leapfrogged him for playing time and signed a deal for 2026
It's pretty obvious Grindlay was not impressing off the field/training/behind the scenes.
That is highly speculative.
I think it's more to do with Craig McGrath coaching Auckland that Taele got more of a run.
I see a pattern of talent getting wasted for players with less upside.
For example Christie over Funaki.
James Thompson would have been better than Segner or Cam Christie at 6 but they let him get away.
Corey Evans over Zarn Sullivan.
Apart from 50 minutes last week the backline and attack has been appalling this season. They need to move McGrath and Halangahu on.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2025:
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
How did Grindlay waste his opportunity? He didn't get selected once this year. He played really well for the Blues in the 1 opportunity he did get.
He improved his fitness a lot and played two strong seasons for Taranaki.
His NPC work was far better than Taeles error ridden season last year.
It doesn't take much to read between the lines
Grindlay signed a two year deal for the Blues (24/25)
The 1 game he played in 2024 was only from the bench and that only occurred because there were late changes - he wasn't even named in the initial 23.
Taele was only signed for 2025 and leapfrogged him for playing time and signed a deal for 2026
It's pretty obvious Grindlay was not impressing off the field/training/behind the scenes.
That is highly speculative.
I think it's more to do with Craig McGrath coaching Auckland that Taele got more of a run.
I see a pattern of talent getting wasted for players with less upside.
For example Christie over Funaki.
James Thompson would have been better than Segner or Cam Christie at 6 but they let him get away.
Corey Evans over Zarn Sullivan.
Apart from 50 minutes last week the backline and attack has been appalling this season. They need to move McGrath and Halangahu on.
Taele played well against good opposition.
Sullivan plays for Auckland, whereas Evans plays for Northland. Seems more likely that Sullivan has struggled to recover from persistent injuries.
James Thompson is a good player but wasn't picked up by other Super Rugby teams. Cam Christie (North Harbour) seems like a real talent.
I don't see a consistent pattern there.
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Taele played well against good opposition.
Sullivan plays for Auckland, whereas Evans plays for Northland. Seems more likely that Sullivan has struggled to recover from persistent injuries.
James Thompson is a good player but wasn't picked up by other Super Rugby teams. Cam Christie (North Harbour) seems like a real talent.
I don't see a consistent pattern there.
@Tim said in Blues 2025:
Taele played well against good opposition.
Sullivan plays for Auckland, whereas Evans plays for Northland. Seems more likely that Sullivan has struggled to recover from persistent injuries.
James Thompson is a good player but wasn't picked up by other Super Rugby teams. Cam Christie (North Harbour) seems like a real talent.
I don't see a consistent pattern there.
James Thompson played a significant part in our title last season. He immediately found his feet at this level. I didn't see Cam Christie delivering the same this season. I think we really struggled at 6 this year and Thompson's size could have made a difference.
Taele played well in the Blues some times and not for others.
He was poor for Auckland with error ridden performances which put us on the back foot. Nothing that warranted all the opportunities he got.
He's not particularly big or fast. He has some skills but I don't see the upside here. Grindlay is a big guy with good skills, high workrate and composure.
As for Sullivan he had one stinker. Maybe he was brought back to early but i would suggest that is because he was poorly managed. Sullivan is a talent that needs to be developed.
Coaches are meant to get the best out of players and I would say the only back who has been consistently good this year is Lam.
I also think Halangahu is the guy that likes that aerial game and maybe why a lot of our game is peppered with poorly timed contestables and aimless kicking. Probably why Christie is preferred over Funaki too.
I'd like to see a change in the back/attack coaches to freshen things up.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2025:
@brodean said in Blues 2025:
How did Grindlay waste his opportunity? He didn't get selected once this year. He played really well for the Blues in the 1 opportunity he did get.
He improved his fitness a lot and played two strong seasons for Taranaki.
His NPC work was far better than Taeles error ridden season last year.
It doesn't take much to read between the lines
Grindlay signed a two year deal for the Blues (24/25)
The 1 game he played in 2024 was only from the bench and that only occurred because there were late changes - he wasn't even named in the initial 23.
Taele was only signed for 2025 and leapfrogged him for playing time and signed a deal for 2026
It's pretty obvious Grindlay was not impressing off the field/training/behind the scenes.
That is highly speculative.
I think it's more to do with Craig McGrath coaching Auckland that Taele got more of a run.
I see a pattern of talent getting wasted for players with less upside.
For example Christie over Funaki.
James Thompson would have been better than Segner or Cam Christie at 6 but they let him get away.
Corey Evans over Zarn Sullivan.
Apart from 50 minutes last week the backline and attack has been appalling this season. They need to move McGrath and Halangahu on.
@brodean to clarify - I'm not saying they are right in their assessments
I'm saying if you sign a guy on a 2 year deal and the guy features in one bench appearance in 2 years and he hasn't been injured I think it's fair to say he has not impressed.
It could also be the making of Grindlay going forward.
I remember Fekitoa barely featured for the Blues and then later admitted the shift to the Highlanders made him hugely improve his professionalism/preparation etc.
I agree that I have not been impressed by the backs this year and also agree would like to see some fresh blood come into the coaching ranks.
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@Tim said in Blues 2025:
Taele played well against good opposition.
Sullivan plays for Auckland, whereas Evans plays for Northland. Seems more likely that Sullivan has struggled to recover from persistent injuries.
James Thompson is a good player but wasn't picked up by other Super Rugby teams. Cam Christie (North Harbour) seems like a real talent.
I don't see a consistent pattern there.
James Thompson played a significant part in our title last season. He immediately found his feet at this level. I didn't see Cam Christie delivering the same this season. I think we really struggled at 6 this year and Thompson's size could have made a difference.
Taele played well in the Blues some times and not for others.
He was poor for Auckland with error ridden performances which put us on the back foot. Nothing that warranted all the opportunities he got.
He's not particularly big or fast. He has some skills but I don't see the upside here. Grindlay is a big guy with good skills, high workrate and composure.
As for Sullivan he had one stinker. Maybe he was brought back to early but i would suggest that is because he was poorly managed. Sullivan is a talent that needs to be developed.
Coaches are meant to get the best out of players and I would say the only back who has been consistently good this year is Lam.
I also think Halangahu is the guy that likes that aerial game and maybe why a lot of our game is peppered with poorly timed contestables and aimless kicking. Probably why Christie is preferred over Funaki too.
I'd like to see a change in the back/attack coaches to freshen things up.
@brodean I like Thompson as a player but 3 games off the bench for 9, 61 and 14 minutes is hardly "significant". Tidy cameo's nothing more. Whereas Christie has played 8 games this season including 5 starts and would likely still be in the 23 if not injured. Christie is a hugely promising 20 year old compared to 25 year old battler Thompson. In saying all that Thompson may yet come back into consideration next season with Choat and Suafoa needing to be replaced.
Likewise comparing a 19 year old Taele in his first NPC last year, in a dysfunctional Auckland team, with a 4 years older and more experienced Grindlay in a good Naki team is not fair. Where was Grindlay when he was 19? Taele is class, just green. Grindlay was just about the best player in the NPC in 23, quieter in 24. I would have liked to see him get some game time this year but unluckily for him Reiko and Lam seem to rarely get injured.
On the coaches McGrath is defense coach and the Blues defense ranked 1st last season and 2nd behind the Chiefs this season. I agree re: D.H. he may have been there too long. He is kicking/ skills coach. O'Halloran is attack coach. I have previously liked the way O'Halloran's teams have attacked. I wonder if his 'style' has been a bit restricted by Vern's pick and go up the middle style. -
Is this Josh Tengblad behind Gus at Blues training?
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Is this Josh Tengblad behind Gus at Blues training?
@Daffy-Jaffy No
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Is this Josh Tengblad behind Gus at Blues training?
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@Daffy-Jaffy Clark?
@Duluth said in Blues 2025:
@Daffy-Jaffy Clark?
That's not him either. Che Clark has a prominent tattoo on his left forearm.
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@Duluth said in Blues 2025:
@Daffy-Jaffy Clark?
That's not him either. Che Clark has a prominent tattoo on his left forearm.
