Blues 2023

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.

Tim

North Harbour's forwards have been pretty solid this year, I wonder how many will get Super Rugby contracts?

Niuia, Tolai, and Lotu Inisi (confirmed) probably have contracts with MP. And Michael Curry may have one too.

Nasilasila was with the Drua, Suafoa was with the Blues, and Kalapu is going to the Force.

Some of the props (Mayhew, Langi, Paea, Fidow) might be worth a look, as would Drake (lock), and the loose forwards Sititi, Melvin, and McGahan. Chlayton Frans from the younger players too.