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    Blues 2021

    Sports Talk
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    • Daffy Jaffy
      Daffy Jaffy last edited by Duluth

      Outstanding North Harbour loose forward Dillon Hunt will return home to Auckland to join the Blues in Super Rugby after four seasons with the Highlanders.

      The North Harbour captain has made two appearances for the All Blacks with his debut in Japan in 2018 and he was one of the standout performers in Super Rugby Aotearoa, topping the tackling count for the competition.

      Hunt, who will play for the South Island in next week’s inter-island fixture, is excited to re-join with his North Harbour team for the Mitre-10 Cup and to link with the Blues.

      “For me it is about coming home to play my rugby. My partner and family are both in Auckland which was a big motivator for me,” said Hunt. “I grew up watching the Blues and I have always been a big fan, so this is an exciting opportunity for me.”

      Blues coach Leon MacDonald said Hunt will be an asset to a talent-laden loose forward group.

      “Dillon is a quality performer with a high work-rate and it’s good to have him back home. Loose forwards operate in a high impact area of the game, so we need quality depth. As captain of North Harbour, he will also bring his leadership qualities to the group.”

      Blues CEO Andrew Hore said Hunt’s signing is another positive message for young players from the region looking to stake a career in the game.

      “Dillon has come through the North Harbour and Blues system and got his chance at the Highlanders. We can’t always find a place for all our talent, but we are delighted that this opportunity has arisen for us to sign an excellent Blues product and he gets the opportunity to make home where his heart is.”

      North Harbour CEO David Gibson said it is a great outcome for everyone.

      “It really ticks all the boxes – Dillon and his family, Harbour, the Blues, and our approach to support those from our community. He is a genuine good bloke who brings so much on and off the field. We are really happy for him.”

      Hunt, a product of Westlake Boys College, joined the Highlanders as a replacement in 2017, playing 41 times and was an injury replacement for the All Blacks in 2017 playing against a French XV, and made his official debut against Japan in 2018.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 5
      • Duluth
        Duluth last edited by

        Is Gibson signed for next year? The other loosies who start regularly are signed (Ioane, Sotutu, Robinson, Papali'i)

        Maybe Hunt is coming in for Lamborn?

        Tim macmanus Daffy Jaffy 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • Tim
          Tim @Duluth last edited by

          @Duluth Gibson is signed until end of 2021 season.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
          • macmanus
            macmanus @Duluth last edited by

            @Duluth Lamborn will play for Southland. Hunt has gone and Lentjes is injured.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • Kiwiwomble
              Kiwiwomble last edited by

              gutted, was an important part of the team this year....dont break or ignore him!

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • Stargazer
                Stargazer last edited by

                Has anyone read anywhere for how many seasons Hunt has signed with the Blues?

                KiwiMurph 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • KiwiMurph
                  KiwiMurph @Stargazer last edited by KiwiMurph

                  @Stargazer said in Blues 2021:

                  Has anyone read anywhere for how many seasons Hunt has signed with the Blues?

                  Herald is reporting 2 years.

                  One test All Blacks loose forward Dillon Hunt is returning home after switching from the Highlanders to the Blues for the next two years.
                  
                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                  • Daffy Jaffy
                    Daffy Jaffy @Duluth last edited by Daffy Jaffy

                    @Duluth My guess would be either Lamborn is returning to his U.S. club or they dropped Riedlinger-Kapa. With Papalii wanting to specialize at 7 Lamborn can cover 6 where he plays for the U.S. Would be a bit tough on Riedlinger-Kapa who hasn't had a chance to prove himself as 6, 8, lock cover and at 22 y/o might be a better investment than Lamborn at 29.

                    D 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • D
                      Dice last edited by

                      Our backrow depth is ridiculous at the moment.

                      Kiwiwomble Nepia 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • D
                        Dice @Daffy Jaffy last edited by

                        @Daffy-Jaffy Wasn't Riedlinger-Kapa on a WTG contract? If no one else is willing to sign him to a full contract, we might be able to keep again with another WTG contract. I hope we prioritize him over Aaron Carroll.

                        Daffy Jaffy 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                        • Kiwiwomble
                          Kiwiwomble @Dice last edited by

                          @Dice said in Blues 2021:

                          Our backrow depth is ridiculous at the moment.

                          you're right...probably wasted money...call it off?

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • Daffy Jaffy
                            Daffy Jaffy @Dice last edited by

                            @Dice He was on a full contract this season after being first on apprentiship then wtg in previous 2 seasons , so has been a project. Was injured pre covid then did not get a chance to play after. They seemed to prefer Carroll on the bench after his good contributions in South Africa. I also wonder who Darry is replacing? Tucker or Carroll?

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                            • Nepia
                              Nepia @Dice last edited by

                              @Dice said in Blues 2021:

                              Our backrow depth is ridiculous at the moment.

                              Who do you think you are ... Tasman?

                              Tim 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 5
                              • Tim
                                Tim @Nepia last edited by

                                @Nepia We still want Havili back. 🙂

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 5
                                • Bones
                                  Bones last edited by

                                  Well fuck. Blues loosies are officially fucken scary.

                                  Tim 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                                  • Tim
                                    Tim @Bones last edited by Tim

                                    @Bones Best ever depth of any club in professional rugby history.

                                    Bones 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                                    • Bones
                                      Bones @Tim last edited by

                                      @Tim said in Blues 2021:

                                      @Bones Best ever depth of any club in professional rugby history.

                                      Gibson is the bestest everer openside in the history of rugby and he won't even get a look in!

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                                      • Tim
                                        Tim last edited by Tim

                                        Will certainly be interesting to watch Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa in the NPC. The heat is on. I wonder if Choat or Niko Jones will take a contract elsewhere to get game time? I'm surprised that Tasman hasn't poached them yet. 😉

                                        KiwiMurph 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                        • KiwiMurph
                                          KiwiMurph @Tim last edited by

                                          @Tim With Papalii at Counties-Manukau and Gibson made of glass there should be plenty of game time going around for 7s....

                                          Tim 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                          • Tim
                                            Tim @KiwiMurph last edited by

                                            @KiwiMurph Meant at Super Rugby level.

                                            KiwiMurph 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                            • KiwiMurph
                                              KiwiMurph @Tim last edited by KiwiMurph

                                              @Tim said in Blues 2021:

                                              @KiwiMurph Meant at Super Rugby level.

                                              Choat I could understand. Niko needs to establish himself at Mitre 10 Cup level first.

                                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                              • Stargazer
                                                Stargazer last edited by

                                                Umaga extends his coaching stay with Blues coaching team

                                                Blues defence coach Tana Umaga has extended his stay at the franchise until the end of the 2021 Super Rugby season.
                                                
                                                This brings Umaga into line with the rest of the Blues coaching group of head coach Leon MacDonald, forwards coach Tom Coventry and backs/skills coach Daniel Halangahu.
                                                
                                                nzzp 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 5
                                                • nzzp
                                                  nzzp @Stargazer last edited by

                                                  @Stargazer that wouldn't have got multiple 'likes' a few years ago. He's gone really well in his current role I think.

                                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                  • nzzp
                                                    nzzp last edited by

                                                    Well, good reward for a really solid season. With the AB naming, we've got TEN Blues in the squad. Remarkable effort considering where we were a year ago, when we had 4 in Black. This is so critical to the long term success -seeing a functional organisation that provides a fun and successful playing environment, and a pathway to higher honours. Been a long long time people, so stoked right now.

                                                    the list:
                                                    Alex Hodgman (27, Blues / Auckland, new cap)
                                                    Karl Tu’inukuafe (27, Blues / North Harbour, 13)
                                                    Ofa Tuungafasi (28, Blues / Auckland, 35)
                                                    Patrick Tuipulotu (27, Blues / Auckland, 30)
                                                    Akira Ioane (25, Blues / Auckland, uncapped, one match)
                                                    Dalton Papalii (22, Blues / Auckland, 3)
                                                    Hoskins Sotutu (22, Blues / Auckland, new cap)
                                                    Beauden Barrett (29, Blues / Taranaki, 84)
                                                    Rieko Ioane (23, Blues / Auckland, 29)
                                                    Caleb Clarke (21, Blues / Auckland, new cap)

                                                    pukunui Crucial Duluth 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 5
                                                    • pukunui
                                                      pukunui @nzzp last edited by

                                                      @nzzp said in Blues 2020:

                                                      Well, good reward for a really solid season. With the AB naming, we've got TEN Blues in the squad. Remarkable effort considering where we were a year ago, when we had 4 in Black. This is so critical to the long term success -seeing a functional organisation that provides a fun and successful playing environment, and a pathway to higher honours. Been a long long time people, so stoked right now.

                                                      the list:
                                                      Alex Hodgman (27, Blues / Auckland, new cap)
                                                      Karl Tu’inukuafe (27, Blues / North Harbour, 13)
                                                      Ofa Tuungafasi (28, Blues / Auckland, 35)
                                                      Patrick Tuipulotu (27, Blues / Auckland, 30)
                                                      Akira Ioane (25, Blues / Auckland, uncapped, one match)
                                                      Dalton Papalii (22, Blues / Auckland, 3)
                                                      Hoskins Sotutu (22, Blues / Auckland, new cap)
                                                      Beauden Barrett (29, Blues / Taranaki, 84)
                                                      Rieko Ioane (23, Blues / Auckland, 29)
                                                      Caleb Clarke (21, Blues / Auckland, new cap)

                                                      You would think Red Robinson would have gone pretty close if he wasn’t injured too.
                                                      Any word on him? Is he out of itm cup this season?

                                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                                      • Crucial
                                                        Crucial @nzzp last edited by

                                                        @nzzp said in Blues 2020:

                                                        Well, good reward for a really solid season. With the AB naming, we've got TEN Blues in the squad. Remarkable effort considering where we were a year ago, when we had 4 in Black. This is so critical to the long term success -seeing a functional organisation that provides a fun and successful playing environment, and a pathway to higher honours. Been a long long time people, so stoked right now.

                                                        the list:
                                                        Alex Hodgman (27, Blues / Auckland, new cap)
                                                        Karl Tu’inukuafe (27, Blues / North Harbour, 13)
                                                        Ofa Tuungafasi (28, Blues / Auckland, 35)
                                                        Patrick Tuipulotu (27, Blues / Auckland, 30)
                                                        Akira Ioane (25, Blues / Auckland, uncapped, one match)
                                                        Dalton Papalii (22, Blues / Auckland, 3)
                                                        Hoskins Sotutu (22, Blues / Auckland, new cap)
                                                        Beauden Barrett (29, Blues / Taranaki, 84)
                                                        Rieko Ioane (23, Blues / Auckland, 29)
                                                        Caleb Clarke (21, Blues / Auckland, new cap)

                                                        Papalii is now Counties not Auckland. Idiots announced it wrong

                                                        Snowy 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                        • Snowy
                                                          Snowy @Crucial last edited by

                                                          @Crucial said in Blues 2020:

                                                          Papalii is now Counties not Auckland. Idiots announced it wrong

                                                          Hasn't even played a game for Counties yet has he? Just signed for them.

                                                          Went to St Kents too? Not really that idiotic, he's an AKL boy that has sold out. Might as well have gone to Tasman.

                                                          taniwharugby Crucial Tim 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                          • taniwharugby
                                                            taniwharugby @Snowy last edited by

                                                            @Snowy am sure they tried!

                                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 5
                                                            • Crucial
                                                              Crucial @Snowy last edited by

                                                              @Snowy said in Blues 2020:

                                                              @Crucial said in Blues 2020:

                                                              Papalii is now Counties not Auckland. Idiots announced it wrong

                                                              Hasn't even played a game for Counties yet has he? Just signed for them.

                                                              Went to St Kents too? Not really that idiotic, he's an AKL boy that has sold out. Might as well have gone to Tasman.

                                                              Yeah I’m not claiming him as home grown or anything just that he is a contracted CM player and NZR got it wrong in their announcement and press.
                                                              Laulala was announced as simply ‘Manukau’ as well

                                                              Snowy 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                              • Snowy
                                                                Snowy @Crucial last edited by Snowy

                                                                @Crucial When he has played a game for you, he can be be Counties (and a turncoat who is dead to me).

                                                                I wouldn't mind so much if he wasn't actually good.

                                                                Crucial 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                • Tim
                                                                  Tim @Snowy last edited by

                                                                  @Snowy said in Blues 2020:

                                                                  @Crucial said in Blues 2020:

                                                                  Papalii is now Counties not Auckland. Idiots announced it wrong

                                                                  Hasn't even played a game for Counties yet has he? Just signed for them.

                                                                  Went to St Kents too? Not really that idiotic, he's an AKL boy that has sold out. Might as well have gone to Tasman.

                                                                  alt text

                                                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 5
                                                                  • Crucial
                                                                    Crucial @Snowy last edited by

                                                                    @Snowy said in Blues 2020:

                                                                    @Crucial When he has played a game for you, he can be be Counties (and a turncoat who is dead to me).

                                                                    I wouldn't mind so much if he wasn't actually good.

                                                                    Arthur Stone
                                                                    Arthur Stone
                                                                    Arthur Stone

                                                                    Snowy 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                                                    • Snowy
                                                                      Snowy @Crucial last edited by

                                                                      @Crucial said in Blues 2020:

                                                                      @Snowy said in Blues 2020:

                                                                      @Crucial When he has played a game for you, he can be be Counties (and a turncoat who is dead to me).

                                                                      I wouldn't mind so much if he wasn't actually good.

                                                                      Arthur Stone
                                                                      Arthur Stone
                                                                      Arthur Stone

                                                                      GFY.

                                                                      (and yes I laughed).

                                                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                      • Duluth
                                                                        Duluth @nzzp last edited by

                                                                        @nzzp said in Blues 2021:

                                                                        Alex Hodgman (27, Blues / Auckland, new cap)

                                                                        Hodgman is a really good sign. First he was a player returning home. Second plenty of Canterbury fans on the TSF claimed he was no loss.. but he continued to develop at Auckland/Blues and has earned the call up

                                                                        I see most rugby fans knew he was an AB before he did:

                                                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 5
                                                                        • Duluth
                                                                          Duluth last edited by

                                                                          https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300120356/how-the-blues-pinched-canterbury-lock-sam-darry-from-the-crusaders-academy

                                                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                                                          • Tim
                                                                            Tim last edited by Tim

                                                                            Lindenmith is going to be cut? Blues seemed to prefer Renata at loosehead this year. Maybe replaced by Jarred Adams?

                                                                            Experience can't be cited by NZR as the problem, besides a significant number of Mitre 10 Cup Pasifika-eligible players have already been deemed good enough to play in Super Rugby as they have previously held contracts.

                                                                            On this list would be Nasi Manu, who captained the Highlanders to the title in 2015, Orbyn Leger who has played for both the Blues and Chiefs, Manasa Mataele who was part of the champion Crusaders squad in 2017 and Ezekiel Lindenmuth who was with the Blues last year.

                                                                            Crucial taniwharugby 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                            • KiwiMurph
                                                                              KiwiMurph last edited by

                                                                              I really don't rate Renata - the guys hands/handling are awful - time and again he makes a handling error. Canes game in Wellington during Super Rugby Aotearoa is a typical example - guess who made the handling error near the end of the match when the Blues were in the Canes half and one more score would have iced the game? Renata.

                                                                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                              • Crucial
                                                                                Crucial @Tim last edited by

                                                                                @Tim said in Blues 2021:

                                                                                Lindenmith is going to be cut? Blues seemed to prefer Renata at loosehead this year. Maybe replaced by Jarred Adams?

                                                                                Experience can't be cited by NZR as the problem, besides a significant number of Mitre 10 Cup Pasifika-eligible players have already been deemed good enough to play in Super Rugby as they have previously held contracts.

                                                                                On this list would be Nasi Manu, who captained the Highlanders to the title in 2015, Orbyn Leger who has played for both the Blues and Chiefs, Manasa Mataele who was part of the champion Crusaders squad in 2017 and Ezekiel Lindenmuth who was with the Blues last year.

                                                                                paywall

                                                                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                                • taniwharugby
                                                                                  taniwharugby @Tim last edited by

                                                                                  @Tim is that another that mentions the Vunipolas, Tuilagi, Piutau, Aki etc?

                                                                                  Bet they will be keen for huge pay decreases and aside from Piutau, being unavailable for Eng/Ireland.

                                                                                  Tim Machpants 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                                  • Tim
                                                                                    Tim @taniwharugby last edited by Tim

                                                                                    @taniwharugby This one had the Vunipola brothers but not the others. I was only interested in the bit I quoted about Super Rugby contracts.

                                                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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