Former All Blacks lock Tom Donnelly is heading north to join The Blues for the 2

[Amobokoboko]

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Former All Black lock Tom Donnelly is heading north to join the Blues for the 2014 Investec Super Rugby season.



The 32-year-old former Highlander and Crusader has signed with the franchise for one year and said he was looking forward to a fresh new challenge.

"I'm really keen to continue playing rugby in New Zealand and when this opportunity came up to join the Blues I jumped at the chance," Donnelly said.

"I've really been enjoying my time with Otago this season and imparting some of my knowledge and experience onto a young group of players and I'm relishing the opportunity to do the same with a similarly young and exciting Blues team."

With the departure of key locks Ali Williams and Anthony Boric at the end of last season, Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan said Donnelly would provide invaluable experience at the lineout in their absence.

"We've signed young Patrick Tuipulotu and have Liaki Moli and Culum Retallick as our other locks so we felt we needed a little more experience for this young side and Tom will certainly bring that," Kirwan said.

"He's had a year away in Japan and was part of the Crusaders last season but he's pretty keen for a new challenge and we're looking forward to having his expertise at the franchise."

Donnelly made his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders in 2004 and earned the first of his 15 All Blacks Test caps against Australia in 2009.

After eight years with the Highlanders, Donnelly joined the Crusaders in 2012 and headed overseas to join the Mitsubishi Club in Japan later that year, before returning for the Crusaders' 2013 Investec Super Rugby campaign.

The 2014 Blues squad will be formally announced on October 30.

 

[Larksea]

good signing.

I honestly think he should be in the All Blacks right now over thrush. Not an 80min lock but he has extra size and he was a proven test performer.

 

[jessta]

How ironic I just read about him in richies auto open side were he speaks for about half a page about him. Good player, happy with that signing

 

[Larksea]

yeah I mean look at what he did in 09-10 for the All Blacks. He played 17 tests for 16 wins or something like that.

probably undervalued in super rugby, had a couple injuries.

 

[steblin]

Good signing, just what we needed, that has now eased my concerns over lock. With Donnelly and Retallick as the more experienced folks, and the promise of Tuipulotu and Moli thats looking good!
That leaves a starting forward pack of Woodcock, Mealamu, Faumuina, Donnelly, Retallick, Luatua, Briad, Kaino - I'll take that!

 

[Larksea]

yip that looks good, I would really like to see Moli come on. He would be such an asset if he just improved his hands and some technique. Retallick had a good year last year.

 

[admartian]

Yes, we have a lock!

 

[Darwin]

An ok signing for the Blues. I think he is till very over-rated by many though. He was good for the AB's during 2009-10, and played a big role in sorting out the AB's lineout woes at the time (mainly by greatly simplifying the lineout moves). However he has gone substantially down hill since then (a few ****ling injuries haven't helped). I think he still warrants a Super Rugby spot (just), but he should be nowhere near All Black consideration. Jeremy Thrush is a far better player than him (and I'm not really a big fan on Thrush!). He is still an outstanding lineout exponent, is reputed as a strong scrummager, is a reasonably solid defender, and brings a lot of experience. However he offers next to nothing with ball in hand (I can't think of a less effective ball running lock in the country), but - more importantly - his work-rate is shocking. He seldom hits breakdowns, and spends a lot of time walking around the field. Tom Franklin has been far better than him for Otago this season.

Donnelly will certainly have an important role in mentoring the young Blues locks, but I expect he won't be starting for the Blues by the end of the season. I'm not sure whether Ronald Raaymakers is still under contract for the Blues this season, but he is certainly another good option at lock (if he is contracted). He is certainly undersized for a lock, but has a massive work-rate, and has been a standout for Counties this season. I'm really hoping Moli finally develops into the player he promised to be 2-3 years ago, but I'm not sure he ever will....

 

[steblin]

Retallick was a workhorse all year, really underrated performance last year. Like to think we'll have lots of time throughout the year where Moli will see decent spells of game time to bring him on, and Tuipulotu too.

 

[steblin]

I'm really hoping Moli finally develops into the player he promised to be 2-3 years ago, but I'm not sure he ever will....

I know what you mean, my lasting memory of Moli from last year was climbing over the top of the rolling maul, against the Bulls maybe? Sometimes a switch just flips for young players, lets hope he's one of them.

 

[ABs2011]

Very good signing. I've watched him play for Otago a bit this year and he will really help the Blues IMO. Provides a good older head as well.

 

[ABs2011]

I wonder if they will sign BC as well?? Raymakers that is.....

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

good signing for blues

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

An ok signing for the Blues. I think he is till very over-rated by many though. He was good for the AB's during 2009-10, and played a big role in sorting out the AB's lineout woes at the time (mainly by greatly simplifying the lineout moves). However he has gone substantially down hill since then (a few ****ling injuries haven't helped). I think he still warrants a Super Rugby spot (just), but he should be nowhere near All Black consideration. Jeremy Thrush is a far better player than him (and I'm not really a big fan on Thrush!). He is still an outstanding lineout exponent, is reputed as a strong scrummager, is a reasonably solid defender, and brings a lot of experience. However he offers next to nothing with ball in hand (I can't think of a less effective ball running lock in the country), but - more importantly - his work-rate is shocking. He seldom hits breakdowns, and spends a lot of time walking around the field. Tom Franklin has been far better than him for Otago this season.

Donnelly will certainly have an important role in mentoring the young Blues locks, but I expect he won't be starting for the Blues by the end of the season. I'm not sure whether Ronald Raaymakers is still under contract for the Blues this season, but he is certainly another good option at lock (if he is contracted). He is certainly undersized for a lock, but has a massive work-rate, and has been a standout for Counties this season. I'm really hoping Moli finally develops into the player he promised to be 2-3 years ago, but I'm not sure he ever will....

QFT.

Donnelly was certainly good for the Highlanders and the All Blacks back a few years ago, but he's faded a lot recently. He can't even make it through a whole game for Otago. He's still a good experienced head to aid the likes of Tuipolotu, but he's hardly a brilliant signing. He'll do a fair job, but probably nothing more.

 

[jessta]

Blues are looking pretty covered everywhere really except 10, which hasnt been adequately filled since the days of Spencer. Damn I wish they picked up barret earlier in the year, but o well. This is how blues are looking for the start of 2014, if they pick up on nonu:

1. Tony woodcock
2. James parsons/ kevin mealamu
3. Charlie faumuina
4. Callum retallick
5. Tom donolley
6. Steven luatua
7. Luke braid
8. Jerome kaino
9. Piri weepu
10. Baden kerr/ chris noakes
11. Frank halai
12. Ma'a nonu
13. Francis saili
14. Charles piutau
15. Benji marshall

 

[ABs2011]

Blues are looking pretty covered everywhere really except 10, which hasnt been adequately filled since the days of Spencer. Damn I wish they picked up barret earlier in the year, but o well. This is how blues are looking for the start of 2014, if they pick up on nonu:

1. Tony woodcock
2. James parsons/ kevin mealamu
3. Charlie faumuina
4. Callum retallick
5. Tom donolley
6. Steven luatua
7. Luke braid
8. Jerome kaino
9. Piri weepu
10. Baden kerr/ chris noakes
11. Frank halai
12. Ma'a nonu
13. Francis saili
14. Charles piutau
15. Benji marshall

Nonu confirmed so I reckon you are on the money with that team. Will be interesting to see how/if Marshall slots in. To me the Blues are looking good. A few more quality experienced guys from last year in Woodcock, Donnelly, Kaino, Nonu and Marshal, a bunch of rising talents in Faumuina, Luatau, Saili, Halai, and Piutau and a squad with much more depth than previous years. I think they will be a playoff team for sure and believe they could actually push for the ***le! Time will tell huh!!