Blues 2021

KiwiMurph

@stargazer said in Blues 2021:

@gt12 And not a positive message to some good youngsters coming through.

Vikena is already signed multiple years.

Daffy Jaffy

@gt12 Ricky Riccitelli is a good option I think. With Ekland and Vikena contracted Niuia must be off overseas or to Moana Pacifika? With Vikena
only 19 years old Riccitelli gives them a sound experienced option so they can balance Vikena's game time as he grows and learns. Riccitelli is still only 26 so his best years as a hooker should be from now on. He will enjoy packing down between all those All Black Props!

gt12

@daffy-jaffy said in Blues 2021:

@gt12 Ricky Riccitelli is a good option I think. With Ekland and Vikena contracted Niuia must be off overseas or to Moana Pacifika? With Vikena
only 19 years old Riccitelli gives them a sound experienced option so they can balance Vikena's game time as he grows and learns. Riccitelli is still only 26 so his best years as a hooker should be from now on. He will enjoy packing down between all those All Black Props!

Agreed. It means that they have three options they can use and another genuine starting competition while they bring through Vikena. And, they can use the development team for youngsters, not sure I see what issue @Stargazer has with this one?

Bovidae

Luteru Tolai not good enough?

Kirwan

@gt12 said in Blues 2021:

@daffy-jaffy said in Blues 2021:

@gt12 Ricky Riccitelli is a good option I think. With Ekland and Vikena contracted Niuia must be off overseas or to Moana Pacifika? With Vikena
only 19 years old Riccitelli gives them a sound experienced option so they can balance Vikena's game time as he grows and learns. Riccitelli is still only 26 so his best years as a hooker should be from now on. He will enjoy packing down between all those All Black Props!

Agreed. It means that they have three options they can use and another genuine starting competition while they bring through Vikena. And, they can use the development team for youngsters, not sure I see what issue @Stargazer has with this one?

There is not an issue.

Daffy Jaffy

@bovidae More the age experience balance maybe. His selection would leave them with two young inexperienced hookers. He trained with them all season and played pretty well I thought when he got the chance but I guess they think he is not ready or not as good as Riccitelli. He may also be available again as backup unless Moana Pasifika come calling. That would be a good option for him I think. I do think he is good enough to play at this level.

Stargazer

@bovidae He's the one I was thinking off, when I made my comment.

Nepia

@gt12 said in Blues 2021:

@kiwimurph

That's a good pick up for the Blues.

Really? I’ve thought he’s been unimpressive since his break out years as an U20s star.

Kirwan

@nepia said in Blues 2021:

@gt12 said in Blues 2021:

@kiwimurph

That's a good pick up for the Blues.

Really? I’ve thought he’s been unimpressive since his break out years as an U20s star.

He's fine as a third choice hooker.

KiwiMurph

Tolai wasn't good enough to win himself a contract unfortunately.

They've got Eklund and Vikena on multi year deals

The drop off from Eklund to Tolai was very noticeable after Eklund got suspended for throwing Reece.

I think Tolai has potential but I can see why they have brought in RR.

If Vikena wasn't around then Tolai would fit as the young hooker.

Tim

Eklund needs to work on his high and long throwing. Every time he tries it he throws a slow loopy one and it gets picked off.

taniwharugby

@kiwimurph said in Blues 2021:

Eklund got suspended for throwing Reece

he only did what everyone else wanted to do

Tim

So now we know who the 3rd hooker is, and Corey Evans probably comes into the midfield, and Macilai probably drops out.

Questions:

Who replaces GCT at lock? Josh Beehre or someone more experienced?

Does Heem return for another year? Does another outside back or midfielder leave (Tele'a or Narawa)?

Do they try and sign Chocobares again?

Do Plumtree and Choat make it back into the loose forwards? Does Hunt retire? Can another loose forward like Ekuasi or Church force their way in?

Any change in the halfbacks?

Nogusta

@tim Josiah Maraku was with the team the whole year. He was with the team on Saturday night. Not sure of his contractual status. Maybe he signs on fulltime as another midfielder?

KiwiMurph

@tim

Choat would replace Gibson i'd say.

Manu Paea could replace Nock if Nock is looking elsewhere and Paea has a good NPC.

taniwharugby

@tim Isi Manu is someone to keep an eye on, expect he could play 6 but has been primarily at 8 for OBM and assume that is where he will play for Northland, looks to have great potential.

Bovidae

@kirwan said in Blues 2021:

He's fine as a third choice hooker.

I doubt Riccitelli is moving to the Blues to be the third choice hooker, like he already is at the Canes. He will be expecting to play each week.

Duluth

@tim said in Blues 2021:

Who replaces GCT at lock? Josh Beehre or someone more experienced?

I hope its a development lock

Darry and Pierce should be ready to step up next year

Daffy Jaffy

Kirwan

@bovidae said in Blues 2021:

@kirwan said in Blues 2021:

He's fine as a third choice hooker.

I doubt Riccitelli is moving to the Blues to be the third choice hooker, like he already is at the Canes. He will be expecting to play each week.

He’s definitely behind Eklund, and IMO behind Vikena too. Am sure Leon wants competition for places so he’ll have to prove he’s better in the opportunities he does get

The Silver Fern

Blues 2021