Blues 2020

Massive improvements all over teh park. I think the most visible thing is the defence - Blues are now hard to break down, and have even built a maul defence. Well done Tom Coventry, he's got those guys really playing for each other up front.

Improved players for me - there are plenty. Ofa, Kurt, PT, GCT, all loosies, Nock/Christie.

Our scrum has become a real weapon. Lineout not wobbly any more,a nd we even scored some maul tries.

Backs speak for themselves. TJ >> Plummer (and I"m a massive Plummer fan, but he hasn't delivered this year). Rieko is going to be hard to go past in the ABs at 13 I suspect - so much upside, and starting to really find his feet.

BB a really mixed bag. Probably gave teh team some confidence, and kicked very very well at times, but also responsible for some absolute howlers. Goalkicking a real workon ... again.

So, for next year. Keep building; not sure we're losing any big names which is nice. We have shown that we can win despite conceding massive penalty counts, territory and possession. Need to play smarter and just dismantle teams; a lot of that is in the top two inches.

Overall, I'm absolutely stoked with the year. If we win on the last weekend, we finish with the same number of wins as teh Crusaders, and don't win the comp due to bonus points. I'll take that every single day, particularly given how far back we've come from. The franchise has created a credible place to play rugby and push for higher honours, and that more than anything should keep us on the up for years to come. Watch out 2021/2022.. could easily be our years!

Also, a shoutout to every damn team in this competition. It's been sensational, no easy beats, everyone has competed all the way through. Awesome for testing the ABs, but not sustainable I fear, with all the injuries we're seeing.

Bones

@nzzp I think GCT is still going at the (good) level he was at the last year or so, just everyone else has stepped up and therefore he looks even better.

Tim

https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/08/03/aussie-abroad-daniel-halangahu/

Tim

Without any Barretts next year, the fullback situation is a little clearer.

Within squad:

Perofeta (good but frequently injured)
Page (haven't seen him play)
Narawa (green)

Within region and unsigned:

Trainor

Off contract at other franchises:

Alaimalo (frequently injured)
Nanai-Seturo (NPC quality)

Time for Lemeki Namoa to be NPC rookie of the year?

nzzp

@Tim wasn't Nanai-Seturo talked up as The Next Big Thing?

KiwiMurph

Zarn Sullivan has been playing a bit of fullback hasn't he.

Tim

@KiwiMurph Good call, think he played there for Blues A this year in one game.

Tim

@nzzp Yep, and was in the middle of the NZR/Warriors tug of war.

Machpants

@Tim Better at 7s

The Silver Fern

Blues 2020