Blues 2025
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@frugby said in Blues 2025:
@Chris said in Blues 2025:
@frugby
James MullanSeems a bizarre move. How good is he?
@frugby said in Blues 2025:
@Chris said in Blues 2025:
@frugby
James MullanSeems a bizarre move. How good is he?
Big unit but has had recurring concussion and shoulder problems over the last couple of seasons.
If he stays fit he could be ok. -
Well we do have 2 aging hooked so there is a chance for him to be our main hooker in a year or 2.
Barely seen him play, but clearly they have an eye to the future with this signing.
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From the Canes thread about Banks leaving the Blues
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Hurricanes 2025:
I was hoping he would stay with the Blues as he offers something different from the 'power athlete' backs that we tend to produce. Now we wonder who replaces him (maybe Tito- Harris or start Taele on the wing to learn the level before moving him infield when Heem retires. Unless they see Spencer as an outside back?). We will soon see.
How many spots in the backs are there? We've lost Banks and Tangitau but Barrett is back and we signed Spencer
Who else might not have signed? Cashmore and/or Grindlay?
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@Duluth There is a rumour out there that Cashmore is Canes bound. I did not think we would have room for him with Barrett returning.
We could see the backs lineup as
Christie, Nock, Funaki
Barrett, Perofeta, Plummer
Evans, Heem, Ioane, Teale,
Clarke, Lam, Telea, Tito-Harris, Forbes, Sullivan Spencer .That sees Grindlay miss out to Taele's promise.
Sofai Maka cold be another wing option.
There is lots of versatility in this backline e.g Forbes played a lot on the wing at Glasgow. -
Spencer is a fullback. He used to be a 1st 5 early in his school rugby career.
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That's basically what I am expecting too.
Do we know if Tanielu Teleʻa is definitely back with the Highlanders? He would go well in Cotter's side. However I assume Auckland shifted him around because the Blues were interested in looking at other players
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@Bovidae Yeah, with Sullivan, Coles, Barrett and Perofetea we are kind of swimming in Fullback choices so he is unlikely to get much time there. I could see him in the midfield eventually but I will move him into outside backs on the list.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Perofeta?, just thinking he might be on the move, maybe Hurricanes, he did meet with NZR today., just putting it out there.
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@george33 said in Blues 2025:
@Daffy-Jaffy Perofeta?, just thinking he might be on the move, maybe Hurricanes, he did meet with NZR today., just putting it out there.
Wouldn't be a bad move for Perofeta. Forming a combo with Roigard could boost his AB chances going forward.
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@Canes4life Would also make Plummer happy I guess. That might also open up a space for Rico Simpson though not sure he is ready at only 18.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2025:
@Canes4life Would also make Plummer happy I guess. That might also open up a space for Rico Simpson though not sure he is ready at only 18.
Is Simpson the skinny 10 that got a few runs for Auskland this year? If so I agree he's not ready.
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@Crazy-Horse Yep, he trained full time with the team as an academy player last season.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2025:
Yeah, with Sullivan, Coles, Barrett and Perofetea we are kind of swimming in Fullback choices so he is unlikely to get much time there. I could see him in the midfield eventually but I will move him into outside backs on the list.
In the NZ Schools backline in 2022 you had Taele at 1st 5 and Tito-Harris at 2nd 5. Spencer was at fullback. It's why Taele has looked decent enough for Auckland at first receiver and as a goal kicker.
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The players not yet announced as resigned are -
PJ Sheck
James Thompson
Rob Rush
Lucas Cashmore
Meihana Grindlay
Jordan Lay ?I know Mason Tupea impressed when training with the team last season and Ben Ake is in the system and very promising. They could be front row swaps.
I think one of Thompson or Rush will miss out to Cam Christie who I watched closely at NPC and he impressed me.
Trystan Cook also has some promise. Both can play 6 and Lock. -
@Daffy-Jaffy only think out of those guys, that Thompson will be there, Jordan Lay possibly.
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@george33 I do like Thompson so am ok with him staying. He could play more blindside if Rush is replaced by Christie.
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Heem is signed for 25 but it will surely be his last season. Great guy for mentoring the new young backs but turns 36 in January.
