Blues 2025

[Tim]

I'll be happy next year if we use Barrett as a super-sub to close out games.

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Kirwan]

Lol, pleased we kept him, imagine there were lots of offers elsewhere.

[Duluth]

Great to see him commit to the team

I'd bet at least 3 other sides would've chased his signature

There's going to be some very good players miss out on the 23 when everyone is fit

[nzzp]

5 years ago Zarn and Renata (amongst others) would have gone. Stable core of people who want to play is important.
Now we just need Akira V2.0

[george33]

Caleb Clarke re-signed 2025

[Duluth]

PAPALI’I COMMITS TO BLUES FUTURE — Blues Rugby

Loose forward Dalton Papali’i has recommitted to the Blues and New Zealand Rugby through to the end of 2027. The 26-year-old has played 34 Tests since making his All Blacks debut as a 21-year-old against Japan in 2018 and his new deal will take him through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

[Daffy Jaffy]

[nzzp]

classic - Uncle Heem.

[Daffy Jaffy]

[nzzp]

@Daffy-Jaffy that's interesting! I thought he'd ply his trade offshore as he hasn't really kicked on. Good news though, having decent backups is really important. Hope he steps up and shines.

[Nogusta]

So now I'm hearing Rieko won't be having a sabbatical next year and will be with the Blues 2025.

[Duluth]

@nzzp said in Blues 2025:

@Daffy-Jaffy that's interesting! I thought he'd ply his trade offshore as he hasn't really kicked on. Good news though, having decent backups is really important. Hope he steps up and shines.

Yeah when @taniwharugby mentioned this was likely earlier in the thread I was surprised

He seems third in the rankings and it was only a couple of years ago he was trying to get an early release. He'll be 30 when this contract ends.. maybe he's just not interested in a stint overseas?

All three halfbacks are back next year

[gt12]

@Nogusta

Any word on reasons?

He will face selection pressure and a year away would easily see him lose a starting shirt, possibly putting him out of the 23 altogether.

[taniwharugby]

@Duluth yea I had heard he'd been approached by one of the other nz sides too (unsure if this was for 2023/2024 or this signing, most likely 2023/2024) where he'd have had a better chance at starting, but chose to stay put, where he seems happy to fight for that bench spot, although he is in pretty tight with a few of the staring 15.

Ive long been critical of his play, more out of frustration when you see these fleeting glimpses of his ceiling you wonder why he can't get there more frequently (this applies to both super and npc)

[KiwiMurph]

@Nogusta said in Blues 2025:

So now I'm hearing Rieko won't be having a sabbatical next year and will be with the Blues 2025.

In that case I'd rather Lam was playing 12 for Auckland not 13

[Daffy Jaffy]

BLUES OPPORTUNITY UNLOCKED IN JAPAN — Blues Rugby

Players could benefit from development opportunities in Japan after the Blues struck up a rugby partnership with Japanese League One club - Kurita Water Gush, a first for the Kurita Water Industries owned club. The Blues and Kurita Water Gush see mutual benefit in the multi-year partnership with op

Through this partnership some of our young players will have the chance to travel to Japan and develop their game and experience a new culture. Water Gush has a good group of coaches, an ambitious rugby programme and excellent facilities where we feel our players will thrive,” said Hore.

“This partnership will open up opportunities for our coaches and players to engage with a number of very experienced Blues personnel, exchange players between both clubs and better develop our rugby IP and player development system,” said Mori.

[KiwiMurph]

@Daffy-Jaffy Japanese team names are so good. Water Gush. Bravo.

[gt12]

That’s such a fucking average partner for the Blues - third league team in a shitty town is the best they can do? Blurgh

[Kirwan]

Back to talking about a good rugby team;