Blues 2023
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The Blues, meanwhile, are equally relaxed about the holes they have in their playing roster for next year, with just three key spots to fill (lock, midfield and loose forward). It’s understood they’re looking closely at young Chiefs second row Laghlan McWhannell, while Jack Goodhue has been mentioned in dispatches as a potential replacement for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at No 12. The All Black is also talking with the Crusaders about re-signing there.
All Blacks loose forward Akira Ioane confirmed recently he had yet to make a decision about his future beyond this year.
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@Tim said in Blues 2023:
- The Blues are still talking to 3 coaches. The article claims Cotter is favourite and another is Mooar. Who is third? Given the preference for international experience is it Pivac?
- I'm sceptical of Mooar
- Laidlaw was not offered the job. I suspect he was invited to apply and that has been twisted.
- It's been strongly rumoured that the Blues have a top up cash for the coaches job. They might not have been competing in the same market as the other two NZ franchises. That would explain the independent timeline
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The Blues, meanwhile, are equally relaxed about the holes they have in their playing roster for next year, with just three key spots to fill (lock, midfield and loose forward). It’s understood they’re looking closely at young Chiefs second row Laghlan McWhannell, while Jack Goodhue has been mentioned in dispatches as a potential replacement for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at No 12. The All Black is also talking with the Crusaders about re-signing there.
McWhannell would be a great addition. If Goodhue is specialising at 12 that would be good too.. with the obvious caveat about durability.
So that sounds like the outside backs are all sorted? I would've expected JRK at least to look elsewhere
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LF leaving takes some pressure off the midfield competition
If Goodhue did move north I would assume it was for personal reasons. Does he want to be near family? Also, NPC and SR at different ends of the country sucks (unless he is in the ABs)
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@Duluth said in Blues 2023:
McWhannell would be a great addition.
Hinton's article has now removed any mention of McWhannell. It is now "a young second-row reinforcement". While I think that McWhannell needs to play regularly, from a Chiefs' perspective I'd keep him over MSR.
