Blues 2025
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BRYCE HEEM CALLS TIME ON STELLAR CAREER — Blues Rugby
Bryce Heem has officially announced his retirement from rugby and is swapping the rugby ball for the calculator with his new post-career venture. Heem, known for his presence and leadership on the field, leaves behind a legacy for the next generation of midfielders to follow. Heem’s career spann
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@Daffy-Jaffy probably hit his peak just a little late.
A curse of constantly trying to build the ABs is not picking guys as they hit form in their late 20s, 30s in favour of someone who'll be around for a bit.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2025:
Bryce Heem has officially announced his retirement from rugby and is swapping the rugby ball for the calculator with his new post-career venture. Heem, known for his presence and leadership on the field, leaves behind a legacy for the next generation of midfielders to follow. Heem’s career spann
Great player. Played a big part in our recent success.
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@booboo said in Blues 2025:
@Daffy-Jaffy probably hit his peak just a little late.
His situation was unusual though. He went overseas and only returned around the covid time for family reasons. He was retired when Leon MacDonald offered him a spot
Blues got some some good years out of him. However NZ missed out on him from the ages of ~26 to 31
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@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:
@Tim said in Blues 2025:
Based on the player profiles (I haven't seen any contract announcements this year), these are per player contract lengths:
Angus Ta’avao - 2025
Ofa Tu’ungafasi - 2026
Marcel Renata - 2027
Jordan Lay - 2026
Joshua Fusitu’a - 2025
PJ Sheck - 2025
Ben Ake - 2027
Kurt Eklund - 2026
Ricky Riccitelli - 2025
James Mullan - 2026
Laghlan McWhannell - 2026
Cameron Christie - 2027
Patrick Tuipulotu - 2025
Sam Darry - 2025
Josh Beehre - 2027
Cameron Suafoa - 2025
Adrian Choat - 2025
Dalton Papali’i - 2027
Anton Segner - 2026
Hoskins Sotutu - 2026
Che Clark - 2026
Finlay Christie - 2025
Sam Nock - 2026
Taufa Funaki - 2026
Stephen Perofeta - 2026
Harry Plummer - 2025
Beauden Barrett - 2027
Rieko Ioane - 2027
Xavi Taele - 2025
Corey Evans - 2026
Meihana Grindlay - 2025
Zarn Sullivan - 2026
Mark Tele’a - 2025
Caleb Clarke - 2025
AJ Lam - 2026
Payton Spencer - 2026
Reon Paul - 2025
Cole Forbes - 2026
These are the players off contract at the end of 2025:
Angus Ta’avao
Joshua Fusitu’a
PJ SheckRicky Riccitelli
Patrick Tuipulotu
Sam DarryCameron Suafoa
Adrian ChoatFinlay Christie
Harry Plummer
Xavi Taele
Meihana GrindlayMark Tele’a
Caleb Clarke
Reon PaulThanks mate.
I just ask because I’ve been told one of these guys has an offer to head south to Dunedin. Unsure who, just told a blues player. Whether it happens is anyone’s guess, especially when you consider how early it is still being the 2025 season.
Looking at that list, I’d say it’s down to Reon Paul, Meihana Grindlay and PJ Sheck. Sheck has already had a stint down there too so some familiarity. Time will tell how it unfolds.
@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:
@Tim said in Blues 2025:
Based on the player profiles (I haven't seen any contract announcements this year), these are per player contract lengths:
Angus Ta’avao - 2025
Ofa Tu’ungafasi - 2026
Marcel Renata - 2027
Jordan Lay - 2026
Joshua Fusitu’a - 2025
PJ Sheck - 2025
Ben Ake - 2027
Kurt Eklund - 2026
Ricky Riccitelli - 2025
James Mullan - 2026
Laghlan McWhannell - 2026
Cameron Christie - 2027
Patrick Tuipulotu - 2025
Sam Darry - 2025
Josh Beehre - 2027
Cameron Suafoa - 2025
Adrian Choat - 2025
Dalton Papali’i - 2027
Anton Segner - 2026
Hoskins Sotutu - 2026
Che Clark - 2026
Finlay Christie - 2025
Sam Nock - 2026
Taufa Funaki - 2026
Stephen Perofeta - 2026
Harry Plummer - 2025
Beauden Barrett - 2027
Rieko Ioane - 2027
Xavi Taele - 2025
Corey Evans - 2026
Meihana Grindlay - 2025
Zarn Sullivan - 2026
Mark Tele’a - 2025
Caleb Clarke - 2025
AJ Lam - 2026
Payton Spencer - 2026
Reon Paul - 2025
Cole Forbes - 2026
These are the players off contract at the end of 2025:
Angus Ta’avao
Joshua Fusitu’a
PJ SheckRicky Riccitelli
Patrick Tuipulotu
Sam DarryCameron Suafoa
Adrian ChoatFinlay Christie
Harry Plummer
Xavi Taele
Meihana GrindlayMark Tele’a
Caleb Clarke
Reon PaulThanks mate.
I just ask because I’ve been told one of these guys has an offer to head south to Dunedin. Unsure who, just told a blues player. Whether it happens is anyone’s guess, especially when you consider how early it is still being the 2025 season.
Looking at that list, I’d say it’s down to Reon Paul, Meihana Grindlay and PJ Sheck. Sheck has already had a stint down there too so some familiarity. Time will tell how it unfolds.
Only a guess, but I'd say Choat considering Michaels is probably getting the chop.
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@frugby said in Blues 2025:
@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:
@Tim said in Blues 2025:
Based on the player profiles (I haven't seen any contract announcements this year), these are per player contract lengths:
Angus Ta’avao - 2025
Ofa Tu’ungafasi - 2026
Marcel Renata - 2027
Jordan Lay - 2026
Joshua Fusitu’a - 2025
PJ Sheck - 2025
Ben Ake - 2027
Kurt Eklund - 2026
Ricky Riccitelli - 2025
James Mullan - 2026
Laghlan McWhannell - 2026
Cameron Christie - 2027
Patrick Tuipulotu - 2025
Sam Darry - 2025
Josh Beehre - 2027
Cameron Suafoa - 2025
Adrian Choat - 2025
Dalton Papali’i - 2027
Anton Segner - 2026
Hoskins Sotutu - 2026
Che Clark - 2026
Finlay Christie - 2025
Sam Nock - 2026
Taufa Funaki - 2026
Stephen Perofeta - 2026
Harry Plummer - 2025
Beauden Barrett - 2027
Rieko Ioane - 2027
Xavi Taele - 2025
Corey Evans - 2026
Meihana Grindlay - 2025
Zarn Sullivan - 2026
Mark Tele’a - 2025
Caleb Clarke - 2025
AJ Lam - 2026
Payton Spencer - 2026
Reon Paul - 2025
Cole Forbes - 2026
These are the players off contract at the end of 2025:
Angus Ta’avao
Joshua Fusitu’a
PJ SheckRicky Riccitelli
Patrick Tuipulotu
Sam DarryCameron Suafoa
Adrian ChoatFinlay Christie
Harry Plummer
Xavi Taele
Meihana GrindlayMark Tele’a
Caleb Clarke
Reon PaulThanks mate.
I just ask because I’ve been told one of these guys has an offer to head south to Dunedin. Unsure who, just told a blues player. Whether it happens is anyone’s guess, especially when you consider how early it is still being the 2025 season.
Looking at that list, I’d say it’s down to Reon Paul, Meihana Grindlay and PJ Sheck. Sheck has already had a stint down there too so some familiarity. Time will tell how it unfolds.
@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:
@Tim said in Blues 2025:
Based on the player profiles (I haven't seen any contract announcements this year), these are per player contract lengths:
Angus Ta’avao - 2025
Ofa Tu’ungafasi - 2026
Marcel Renata - 2027
Jordan Lay - 2026
Joshua Fusitu’a - 2025
PJ Sheck - 2025
Ben Ake - 2027
Kurt Eklund - 2026
Ricky Riccitelli - 2025
James Mullan - 2026
Laghlan McWhannell - 2026
Cameron Christie - 2027
Patrick Tuipulotu - 2025
Sam Darry - 2025
Josh Beehre - 2027
Cameron Suafoa - 2025
Adrian Choat - 2025
Dalton Papali’i - 2027
Anton Segner - 2026
Hoskins Sotutu - 2026
Che Clark - 2026
Finlay Christie - 2025
Sam Nock - 2026
Taufa Funaki - 2026
Stephen Perofeta - 2026
Harry Plummer - 2025
Beauden Barrett - 2027
Rieko Ioane - 2027
Xavi Taele - 2025
Corey Evans - 2026
Meihana Grindlay - 2025
Zarn Sullivan - 2026
Mark Tele’a - 2025
Caleb Clarke - 2025
AJ Lam - 2026
Payton Spencer - 2026
Reon Paul - 2025
Cole Forbes - 2026
These are the players off contract at the end of 2025:
Angus Ta’avao
Joshua Fusitu’a
PJ SheckRicky Riccitelli
Patrick Tuipulotu
Sam DarryCameron Suafoa
Adrian ChoatFinlay Christie
Harry Plummer
Xavi Taele
Meihana GrindlayMark Tele’a
Caleb Clarke
Reon PaulThanks mate.
I just ask because I’ve been told one of these guys has an offer to head south to Dunedin. Unsure who, just told a blues player. Whether it happens is anyone’s guess, especially when you consider how early it is still being the 2025 season.
Looking at that list, I’d say it’s down to Reon Paul, Meihana Grindlay and PJ Sheck. Sheck has already had a stint down there too so some familiarity. Time will tell how it unfolds.
Only a guess, but I'd say Choat considering Michaels is probably getting the chop.
That'd be a weird pick up. Especially considering he would be a no3 seven at the Landers, and is older than the other two. My money is on Grindlay
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For next year we know we are looking for the following replacements:
Tighthead prop (Angus Ta’avao)
Hooker (Ricky Riccitelli)
First Five/Midfield (Harry Plummer)
Center (Rieko Ioane)
Wing (Mark Tele’a)We are likely to need a loose forward too (Cameron Suafoa).
We may lose to overseas another couple of players:
Adrian Choat (loose forward)
Finlay Christie (halfback)And may not re-sign a few:
PJ Sheck (tighthead prop)
Meihana Grindlay (midfield)
Reon Paul (wing/midfield)Loosing two tighthead props might save Sheck though. Same with Paul.
Jordan Lay is frequently injured, so it will be interesting to see what happens with him. Three other loosehead props are already in the squad though.
Potentially we are looking for:
2x Tighthead prop
Hooker
2x Loose forward
Halfback
First five
2x Midfield
2x WingThe following players have been elevated into the squad this season:
Mason Tupaea (loosehead prop)
Hamdahn Tuipulotu (tighthead prop)
Bryn Gordon (hooker)
Nathaniel Pole (hooker)
Trystin Cook (lock/six)Who are some of the other young or fringe players that might be signed?
Rumours about Slater and Arscott have been posted on here.
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@Tim said in Blues 2025:
Interesting line in a Paul Cully article today:
The future of the injury-prone Jona Nareki is uncertain, and it’s probably only a matter of time before the Blues come knocking for Caleb Tangitau with Mark Tele’a heading to Japan.
We still have him for another year. Paul Cully just has his pessimistic long lens out
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@Tim said in Blues 2025:
Interesting line in a Paul Cully article today:
The future of the injury-prone Jona Nareki is uncertain, and it’s probably only a matter of time before the Blues come knocking for Caleb Tangitau with Mark Tele’a heading to Japan.
Blues won’t be the only one. Any player that’s shown the potential he has will garner plenty of interest from other clubs.
I expect he’ll stick with the Landers though.
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@Canes4life said in Blues 2025:
@Tim said in Blues 2025:
Interesting line in a Paul Cully article today:
The future of the injury-prone Jona Nareki is uncertain, and it’s probably only a matter of time before the Blues come knocking for Caleb Tangitau with Mark Tele’a heading to Japan.
Blues won’t be the only one. Any player that’s shown the potential he has will garner plenty of interest from other clubs.
I expect he’ll stick with the Landers though.
I have no expextation with him past next year. We keep him. Fucking awesome. We don't. Ah well. A bit disappointing. We can just hope.
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@Duluth said in Blues 2025:
@booboo said in Blues 2025:
@Daffy-Jaffy probably hit his peak just a little late.
His situation was unusual though. He went overseas and only returned around the covid time for family reasons. He was retired when Leon MacDonald offered him a spot
Blues got some some good years out of him. However NZ missed out on him from the ages of ~26 to 31
Yeah, that's fair but point is still kind of relevant. Left at 26 because he wasn't in the frame by that stage.
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@SouthernMann said in Blues 2025:
@frugby said in Blues 2025:
@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:
@Tim said in Blues 2025:
Based on the player profiles (I haven't seen any contract announcements this year), these are per player contract lengths:
Angus Ta’avao - 2025
Ofa Tu’ungafasi - 2026
Marcel Renata - 2027
Jordan Lay - 2026
Joshua Fusitu’a - 2025
PJ Sheck - 2025
Ben Ake - 2027
Kurt Eklund - 2026
Ricky Riccitelli - 2025
James Mullan - 2026
Laghlan McWhannell - 2026
Cameron Christie - 2027
Patrick Tuipulotu - 2025
Sam Darry - 2025
Josh Beehre - 2027
Cameron Suafoa - 2025
Adrian Choat - 2025
Dalton Papali’i - 2027
Anton Segner - 2026
Hoskins Sotutu - 2026
Che Clark - 2026
Finlay Christie - 2025
Sam Nock - 2026
Taufa Funaki - 2026
Stephen Perofeta - 2026
Harry Plummer - 2025
Beauden Barrett - 2027
Rieko Ioane - 2027
Xavi Taele - 2025
Corey Evans - 2026
Meihana Grindlay - 2025
Zarn Sullivan - 2026
Mark Tele’a - 2025
Caleb Clarke - 2025
AJ Lam - 2026
Payton Spencer - 2026
Reon Paul - 2025
Cole Forbes - 2026
These are the players off contract at the end of 2025:
Angus Ta’avao
Joshua Fusitu’a
PJ SheckRicky Riccitelli
Patrick Tuipulotu
Sam DarryCameron Suafoa
Adrian ChoatFinlay Christie
Harry Plummer
Xavi Taele
Meihana GrindlayMark Tele’a
Caleb Clarke
Reon PaulThanks mate.
I just ask because I’ve been told one of these guys has an offer to head south to Dunedin. Unsure who, just told a blues player. Whether it happens is anyone’s guess, especially when you consider how early it is still being the 2025 season.
Looking at that list, I’d say it’s down to Reon Paul, Meihana Grindlay and PJ Sheck. Sheck has already had a stint down there too so some familiarity. Time will tell how it unfolds.
@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:
@Tim said in Blues 2025:
Based on the player profiles (I haven't seen any contract announcements this year), these are per player contract lengths:
Angus Ta’avao - 2025
Ofa Tu’ungafasi - 2026
Marcel Renata - 2027
Jordan Lay - 2026
Joshua Fusitu’a - 2025
PJ Sheck - 2025
Ben Ake - 2027
Kurt Eklund - 2026
Ricky Riccitelli - 2025
James Mullan - 2026
Laghlan McWhannell - 2026
Cameron Christie - 2027
Patrick Tuipulotu - 2025
Sam Darry - 2025
Josh Beehre - 2027
Cameron Suafoa - 2025
Adrian Choat - 2025
Dalton Papali’i - 2027
Anton Segner - 2026
Hoskins Sotutu - 2026
Che Clark - 2026
Finlay Christie - 2025
Sam Nock - 2026
Taufa Funaki - 2026
Stephen Perofeta - 2026
Harry Plummer - 2025
Beauden Barrett - 2027
Rieko Ioane - 2027
Xavi Taele - 2025
Corey Evans - 2026
Meihana Grindlay - 2025
Zarn Sullivan - 2026
Mark Tele’a - 2025
Caleb Clarke - 2025
AJ Lam - 2026
Payton Spencer - 2026
Reon Paul - 2025
Cole Forbes - 2026
These are the players off contract at the end of 2025:
Angus Ta’avao
Joshua Fusitu’a
PJ SheckRicky Riccitelli
Patrick Tuipulotu
Sam DarryCameron Suafoa
Adrian ChoatFinlay Christie
Harry Plummer
Xavi Taele
Meihana GrindlayMark Tele’a
Caleb Clarke
Reon PaulThanks mate.
I just ask because I’ve been told one of these guys has an offer to head south to Dunedin. Unsure who, just told a blues player. Whether it happens is anyone’s guess, especially when you consider how early it is still being the 2025 season.
Looking at that list, I’d say it’s down to Reon Paul, Meihana Grindlay and PJ Sheck. Sheck has already had a stint down there too so some familiarity. Time will tell how it unfolds.
Only a guess, but I'd say Choat considering Michaels is probably getting the chop.
That'd be a weird pick up. Especially considering he would be a no3 seven at the Landers, and is older than the other two. My money is on Grindlay
Hmm, talking about discarding/disregarding older guys...
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@booboo said in Blues 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Blues 2025:
@frugby said in Blues 2025:
@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:
@Tim said in Blues 2025:
Based on the player profiles (I haven't seen any contract announcements this year), these are per player contract lengths:
Angus Ta’avao - 2025
Ofa Tu’ungafasi - 2026
Marcel Renata - 2027
Jordan Lay - 2026
Joshua Fusitu’a - 2025
PJ Sheck - 2025
Ben Ake - 2027
Kurt Eklund - 2026
Ricky Riccitelli - 2025
James Mullan - 2026
Laghlan McWhannell - 2026
Cameron Christie - 2027
Patrick Tuipulotu - 2025
Sam Darry - 2025
Josh Beehre - 2027
Cameron Suafoa - 2025
Adrian Choat - 2025
Dalton Papali’i - 2027
Anton Segner - 2026
Hoskins Sotutu - 2026
Che Clark - 2026
Finlay Christie - 2025
Sam Nock - 2026
Taufa Funaki - 2026
Stephen Perofeta - 2026
Harry Plummer - 2025
Beauden Barrett - 2027
Rieko Ioane - 2027
Xavi Taele - 2025
Corey Evans - 2026
Meihana Grindlay - 2025
Zarn Sullivan - 2026
Mark Tele’a - 2025
Caleb Clarke - 2025
AJ Lam - 2026
Payton Spencer - 2026
Reon Paul - 2025
Cole Forbes - 2026
These are the players off contract at the end of 2025:
Angus Ta’avao
Joshua Fusitu’a
PJ SheckRicky Riccitelli
Patrick Tuipulotu
Sam DarryCameron Suafoa
Adrian ChoatFinlay Christie
Harry Plummer
Xavi Taele
Meihana GrindlayMark Tele’a
Caleb Clarke
Reon PaulThanks mate.
I just ask because I’ve been told one of these guys has an offer to head south to Dunedin. Unsure who, just told a blues player. Whether it happens is anyone’s guess, especially when you consider how early it is still being the 2025 season.
Looking at that list, I’d say it’s down to Reon Paul, Meihana Grindlay and PJ Sheck. Sheck has already had a stint down there too so some familiarity. Time will tell how it unfolds.
@Landers92 said in Blues 2025:
@Tim said in Blues 2025:
Based on the player profiles (I haven't seen any contract announcements this year), these are per player contract lengths:
Angus Ta’avao - 2025
Ofa Tu’ungafasi - 2026
Marcel Renata - 2027
Jordan Lay - 2026
Joshua Fusitu’a - 2025
PJ Sheck - 2025
Ben Ake - 2027
Kurt Eklund - 2026
Ricky Riccitelli - 2025
James Mullan - 2026
Laghlan McWhannell - 2026
Cameron Christie - 2027
Patrick Tuipulotu - 2025
Sam Darry - 2025
Josh Beehre - 2027
Cameron Suafoa - 2025
Adrian Choat - 2025
Dalton Papali’i - 2027
Anton Segner - 2026
Hoskins Sotutu - 2026
Che Clark - 2026
Finlay Christie - 2025
Sam Nock - 2026
Taufa Funaki - 2026
Stephen Perofeta - 2026
Harry Plummer - 2025
Beauden Barrett - 2027
Rieko Ioane - 2027
Xavi Taele - 2025
Corey Evans - 2026
Meihana Grindlay - 2025
Zarn Sullivan - 2026
Mark Tele’a - 2025
Caleb Clarke - 2025
AJ Lam - 2026
Payton Spencer - 2026
Reon Paul - 2025
Cole Forbes - 2026
These are the players off contract at the end of 2025:
Angus Ta’avao
Joshua Fusitu’a
PJ SheckRicky Riccitelli
Patrick Tuipulotu
Sam DarryCameron Suafoa
Adrian ChoatFinlay Christie
Harry Plummer
Xavi Taele
Meihana GrindlayMark Tele’a
Caleb Clarke
Reon PaulThanks mate.
I just ask because I’ve been told one of these guys has an offer to head south to Dunedin. Unsure who, just told a blues player. Whether it happens is anyone’s guess, especially when you consider how early it is still being the 2025 season.
Looking at that list, I’d say it’s down to Reon Paul, Meihana Grindlay and PJ Sheck. Sheck has already had a stint down there too so some familiarity. Time will tell how it unfolds.
Only a guess, but I'd say Choat considering Michaels is probably getting the chop.
That'd be a weird pick up. Especially considering he would be a no3 seven at the Landers, and is older than the other two. My money is on Grindlay
Hmm, talking about discarding/disregarding older guys...
Also the contract that we could offer him. Likely rated behind Withy and Lasqa. At 28 he'd want to make some decent money out of his last few years in the game. Don't generally do that if you are effectively being picked as the back ups back up.
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@Tim you really think he’s better than Withy? Unless he can be a solid 8 it wouldn’t make any sense. Why go from being a back up to Dalton in a good squad to going to being a back up in a worse squad? Southermann is right, it would be an odd move and one that wouldn’t really make sense from Choats point of view. Especially when you factor in the upside in Lasaqa as well.
He’s a good player and I wouldn’t be mad if he was in my team. It just wouldn’t make much sense.
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@Landers92 They'd be pretty similar (Withy).
I suspect that he would start at 6 or 7 if he went to the Highlanders. As you mentioned, would that be a great reason to leave the Blues, where he gets regular game time and is an important squad member?
He's kind of a "lite" version of Papalii, in terms of playing style, but that's still a rather handy player.
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@Daffy-Jaffy he looks like he's continued to bulk up, which is great.
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