Blues 2023

[Duluth]

@taniwharugby said in Blues 2023:

@Tim gone better than I expected him to, has good skills and has been more physical too, but think hes still not there yet.

Would still prefer to sign guys like him and Beehre

Tuipulotu and Darry with support from the loosie/locks (Robinson, Suafoa, Tucker, Plumtree) until the young guys are ready

[taniwharugby]

@Duluth I think they used him as a project player this year in the Blues didnt they, and TBH I think it has helped him.

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Blues 2023:

they may only need a hooker now (would rather not use Riccitelli)?

Hopefully they don’t keep Riccitelli

Who are the uncontracted hookers that are good enough for SR?

I was hoping BKP would be good enough but his Northland form doesn’t warrant selection

Maybe O’Reilly? He’s left the Canes but I don’t think it’s been announced where he is going.

[ARHS]

Moana u from Counties looks useful

[Nepia]

@Duluth Kereru-Symes has spent time training with the Blues in the past. Was on the up and up a few years back but got injured last year which saw a much less accomplished player in Jacob Devery get Super rugby games.

He's probably behind Thompson in the Magpies pecking order now but puts in a good shift on the park.

[Daffy Jaffy]

How is it that we have only 5 home games out of 14? I guess we gave up one to Melbourne but we did that last year also, seems a little unfair. Did we give another up to go to Fiji?

[nzzp]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2023:

How is it that we have only 5 home games out of 14?

I counted 6?
https://www.blues.rugby/super-rugby-pacific-draw-23

[Duluth]

@Daffy-Jaffy

Looks like 6?

[nzzp]

@Duluth said in Blues 2023:

@Daffy-Jaffy

Looks like 6?

nope, he's right - one is MP away in Auckland

[Stargazer]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2023:

How is it that we have only 5 home games out of 14? I guess we gave up one to Melbourne but we did that last year also, seems a little unfair. Did we give another up to go to Fiji?

The reason is indeed the Melbourne round, in which the Blues play their home game against the Brumbies in Melbourne.

The Blues and Crusaders lose a home game to the Melbourne round for a second consecutive year. Not good.

The Brumbies, Waratahs and Reds are lucky for a second year, not to miss out on a home game during the Melbourne round.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Stargazer With that they should be 6 home, 8 away but it still doesn't explain why they are 5 home, 9 away?

[Daffy Jaffy]

It may be solved. The Blues graphic for the MP game has it as an away game in error. The text version on the Blues site has that game at Eden Park.

[Stargazer]

@Daffy-Jaffy I count 7 home games (including the Melbourne round), and 7 away games.

7 home games:
v Brumbies (Melbourne), Crusaders, Force, Waratahs, Moana Pasifika, Hurricanes and Highlanders

7 away games:
v Highlanders, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Rebels, Drua, Crusaders, Reds

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Stargazer Thanks. See above.

[Tim]

There was a post in a Northland match thread about Tua moving to the Brumbies next year. Any thoughts on who to replace him with?

Heremaia Murray was in the WTG for pre-season this year, and plays centre and wing.

[Duluth]

@Tim

Maybe Grindlay is an option too?

That would be promoting from within the Blues system

[Tim]

@Duluth How has he gone for Taranaki?

[Duluth]

@Tim

Haven't watched closely but he's had a few nice touches

The first half of the season he was stuck on the bench, but he's getting consistent starts in the midfield now

[Duluth]

@Tim

Also if it was a choice between Murray and Grindlay I would go for Murray based on what I've seen

[Daffy Jaffy]

They could use Heem and/or Lam in the midfield and look to replace Tua with a young outside back. Along with Murray, Caleb Tangitau or Moses Leo would be excellent options if they could be released from sevens duty. Both very promising youngsters.