Blues 2020

KiwiMurph

The Blues could certainly use players who do the dirty work in their pack so happy to see how he will go.

Having more players who have come up the via the hard path rather than star schoolboys on the fast track is probably not a bad thing either!

Tim

@African-Monkey

How much have you seen of Pierce this year? I haven't watched much NPC, but he looked good in what I saw.

That would make four locks (Tuipulotu, GPT, Pierce, Wardlaw) with one to sign. Olmstead?

Chris

@Tim said in Blues 2020:

@African-Monkey

How much have you seen of Pierce this year? I haven't watched much NPC, but he looked good in what I saw.

That would make four locks (Tuipulotu, GPT, Pierce, Wardlaw) with one to sign. Olmstead?

Josh Goodhue ?

Tim

@Chris Hope he comes good, but has lacked aggression.

Daffy Jaffy

@Tim Olmstead would be good. Goodhue doesn't do it for me either. Whetton may stay with the Highlanders as they lost Hemopo. I would like them to take a punt on Sam Caird from Northland. 22 years old, 202cm and 116kgs. He seems to play with good work rate and energy. The Northland fans might have some oil on him. If not maybe pick him up in the wtg. The other forward positions to fill -
1 looseshead - Lindenmuth, Cobb? ( I really like Harris from Auckland).
1 tighthead - Renata, Li?
2 hookers - Abel, Ekland, Tolai, Niuia?
1 openside - Hunt, Havili, Choat, Matich?
1 blindside - Roots, Suafua, Riedlinger-Kapa? ( would love to get Frizzel out of the Highlanders).
Should only be 3 weeks until the squads are named unless they wait a week until the cup final fever dies down.

Duluth

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2020:

Goodhue doesn't do it for me either. Whetton may stay with the Highlanders as they lost Hemopo. I would like them to take a punt on Sam Caird from Northland. 22 years old, 202cm and 116kgs. He seems to play with good work rate and energy. The Northland fans might have some oil on him. If not maybe pick him up in the wtg.

Pari Pari Parkinson? He signed with the Highlanders for 2018/19 but I don't think there's been any confirmation he's with them in 2020?
He has links to the Blues region, has worked with MacDonald before and seemed out of favour with the Highlanders

The Blues seem to have a long term bet on Pierce. He's played well for NH this year. They didn't use him much in 2019 but I think he should start alongside Tuipulotu initially

African Monkey

@Tim He played well against Auckland. Like you, I haven't watched as much M10 Cup this year due to the RWC, but we'll have to wait and see I guess.

Tim

Watched a bit of Pierce against Wellington. Big guy who gets around the field well, hits a lot of rucks, takes lineout ball, and makes his tackles. Bit of hustle on the loose ball. Not used much as a ball carrier. Not sure on his support play, but does stay near the ball.

nzzp

@Tim could be a good acquisition then. Hopefully Leon is better htan his predecessors

Tim

Looking at a probable pack:

Karl T
Parsons
Ofa T
Tuipulotu
Pierce
Robinson
Papalii
Ioane

In that starting line-up you've got three big ball carriers (Ofa T, Tuipulotu, Ioane), two pretty good ones (Robinson, Papalii), and one quite good one (Karl T).

Reserves bench should be decent too:

Niuia (?)
Hodgman
Mafileo/Renata
GCT
Sotutu

Three good ball carriers in that list.

nzzp

@Tim THIS IS OUR YEAR

Tim

Now that the NPC round robin is over, who should be the hookers?

Parsons has been signed, and there's a good source saying that Niuia has been too, though it's not known if he will be a full squad member.

Unsigned possibles:

Eklund
Abel (Waratahs may be after him)
Apisai
Luteru Tolai
Olsen

African Monkey

@nzzp Very well said!

Tim

Loose Forwards:

Probably pick seven in a squad, five are signed, but Gibson may miss out with after damaging a tendon in his knee.

(Gibson)
Papalii
Robinson
Ioane
Sotutu

That leaves three, probably two will need to be opensides. Matich, Hunt, Evans, Choat, Henwood, Karpik, Havili, and Kaylum Boshier are all possible sevens. Olmstead would be a nice addition, as would Ben-Nicholas. Riedlinger-Kapa, Suafoa, Preston, and Roots are also possibilities.

Bovidae

Pierce doesn't look as tall as he's listed at.

Isn't the rumour that Ofa is heading south?

Tim

@Bovidae There was from some of our Cantabs, but I haven't heard anything since. He'd need to be released from his Blues contract if that was the case.

Stargazer

@Tim I keep on wondering whether that rumour was started by someone who confused Ofa with Isi.

taniwharugby

@Tim I reckon Matich would thrive as a fulltime super player, probably at 6 though, similarly Matiu, easily our best and most consistent performer this year.

I know he (Matich) was a late signing for Northland this year (possibly only single season) so not sure what his plans are from here.

Tim

@taniwharugby Thought he was really good coming off the bench for the Blues this year. Think he played mostly at 7 for them.

Tim

Any news on Tony Hanks?

Seems that he's the last of the old guard.

The Silver Fern

Blues 2020