Blues 2025

taniwharugby

@nzzp I thought it was Saili and Nick WIlliams, although Williams is too old to have been in competition with Saili out of school, similarly with Read 3 years Saili's senior, it was probably someone else all together coming out of school at the same time?

Tim

@taniwharugby

Read debuted for Canterbury in 2006, Crusaders in 2007. Looking at a list of Blues players, only name that pops out in that time frame is Nick Williams, who debuted for Blues in 2005.

Saili didn't play for them until 2009 (Auckland debut 2008).

Tim

Chris Lowrey was also a 2008/2009 Auckland/Blues recruit.

nzzp

@Tim @taniwharugby looks like I'm the one spreading this misinformation online. Google tells me I stuffed this up back in 2018 as well! Now I feel old.

Steven Harris

@African-Monkey interstingly enough Stephen Bates was at the Waitemata v Eden game on Saturday ,Sione Ahio came on in the 2nd half played very well

taniwharugby

@Tim I think it may have been Fritz Lee that Saili went through school years with and were competing for a Blues spot with?

george33

No Dalton or Caleb once again,

nzzp

@African-Monkey said in Blues 2025:

@nzzp said in Blues 2025:

@mikedogz I thought he was at Rosehill college, played well and Auckland had to choose between him and Peter Saili to invest in and contract.

Without hindsight you can see why Saili got preferred, he had amazing physical gifts

Ironic as Peter Saili was heavily chased by the Crusaders after he finished school too.

His physical gifts were incredible.

African Monkey

@nzzp said in Blues 2025:

@African-Monkey said in Blues 2025:

@nzzp said in Blues 2025:

@mikedogz I thought he was at Rosehill college, played well and Auckland had to choose between him and Peter Saili to invest in and contract.

Without hindsight you can see why Saili got preferred, he had amazing physical gifts

Ironic as Peter Saili was heavily chased by the Crusaders after he finished school too.

His physical gifts were incredible.

Sadly his hands always let him down.

george33

Mark Talea suspension 3 weeks., be some interesting selections out wide, maybe move AJ to wing, and bring in Xavi Taele to 12, with Forbes staying on other wing.

Duluth

@george33 said in Blues 2025:

Mark Talea suspension 3 weeks., be some interesting selections out wide, maybe move AJ to wing, and bring in Xavi Taele to 12, with Forbes staying on other wing.

Hopefully it makes room for Spencer in the 23.

I'd like him to start at 15. Lets have a proper look at him

Bovidae

I think they said on TV3 last night that Lam was also out.

Put Che Clark on the wing.

george33

Xavi Taele has signed on until 2026

frugby

Have heard the hooker merry-go-round continues next year, with Bradley Slater heading to the Blues.

Mr Fish

@frugby said in Blues 2025:

Have heard the hooker merry-go-round continues next year, with Bradley Slater heading to the Blues.

Sensible for both Chiefs and Blues. Chiefs will be wanting to bring Koloise into the mix with Taukei'aho and McAlister both great starting options. Slater is a good squaddie but doesn't have the upside of the other two guys. A relatively safe pair of hands for the Blues though, who are presumably losing one of their more experienced guys.

Tim

@Mr-Fish Riccitelli was mentioned as leaving on here, maybe 12 months ago?

Bovidae

Koloise needs to get more time on the field for BOP. Throwing accuracy is still a big work-on.

African Monkey

@frugby said in Blues 2025:

Have heard the hooker merry-go-round continues next year, with Bradley Slater heading to the Blues.

Ugh, not a fan.

Tim

@African-Monkey He'd be fine as 3rd hooker, but we really need a good replacement for Riccitelli. Mullan should stay at NPC level.

barky1

@Bovidae
On that, are there stats available for lineouts? And throwing accuracy?

The Silver Fern

Blues 2025