The Blues?!

[Darwin]

Danny Pryor from Northland should get a SuperRugby contract! He is a machine!!

He is a good player, but I feel he still plays a bit loose at times - he spends quite a bit of time standing out in the backline when I feel he should be hitting a few more breakdowns. I would say he will be competing with Sean Polwart for a Blues wider training squad contract this season.

 

[Larksea]

Dan Pryor is kinda a family friend, funny I sit down and watch northland games with some family and they all follow and cheer his every move. I think he is having a good season and I think I would have him ahead of Polwart. What surprises me is how much bulk he's stacked on. last couple of years he was tiny (though super fit) for a 7 now he actually looks above average size for a 7. He's got a lot of energy.

 

[jlowe]

yeah I might be being a bit biased seeing as he is playing for Northland! But i truly do believe he deserves to play Super Rugby. I also would like to see Ash Moeke be in the blues squad. The Blues need to pick more Northland boys, ones that deserve a shot. I know that may seem biased, but I truly believe some Northland talent could come in handy for the Blues!

 

[Darwin]

yeah I might be being a bit biased seeing as he is playing for Northland! But i truly do believe he deserves to play Super Rugby. I also would like to see Ash Moeke be in the blues squad. The Blues need to pick more Northland boys, ones that deserve a shot. I know that may seem biased, but I truly believe some Northland talent could come in handy for the Blues!

I don't mind Moeke, but I'm not sure whether he offers anything the Blues don't already have in their squad with Noakes and Kerr. He could perhaps get a wider training squad spot though.

Not sure who else I would consider from the Northland squad. I thought Ross Wright was outstanding last season, but has struggled to get game-time this season. I think Derick Carpenter might get close to making the squad this season, as he been pretty consistent for the last couple of years.

 

[jlowe]

Bring back Jared Payne!!!

 

[Darwin]

Bring back Jared Payne!!!

I agree. Boy have the Blues/Northland missed him!

 

[jlowe]

I agree. Boy have the Blues/Northland missed him!

Yes. He was the backbone for the Blues and Northland. I believe that another good season with the Blues would have definately put him in contention for a Black Jersey!

 

[Larksea]

yeah... i said many times, losing Jared Payne was a disaster for the blues. And I think maybe one of lams great failures.

 

[Peat]

Bring back Jared Payne!!!

This will not be happening.

 

[Larksea]

thing is with Kahui seen as a specialist winger at test level now, SBW and Toeava gone, combined with Payne's utility. I actually recon that on his 2011 form I he would be in this current All Black squad. Very little between him and Ellison, edge to Payne IMO.

his combination with Renee Ranger was staggering, you could not come up with a pair of players with such contrasting and complementing abilities as those two.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I don't think Kahui is seen as a wing, rather he's seen as a player too good to leave out of the first XV.

 

[nickdnz]

I don't think Kahui is seen as a wing, rather he's seen as a player too good to leave out of the first XV.

Agreed. At least I hope he's not seen as a winger. He should be the next AB starting centre after Conrad Smith (providing he doesn't break every bone in his body beforehand).

 

[Larksea]

things would change if smith was not around but last time he was selected in an All Blacks squad it was to play wing not 13, that much was made public knowledge by the coaches. True it is because he's "too good to leave out of the 15"

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Notice that there was never any centre back up? Of course Kahui didn't accidentally end up on the wing, he was indeed selected with the intention of having him on the wing, but that doesn't change that fact that he's a centre who can move round to accommodate others, such as Conrad Smith.

 

[jlowe]

Well, that is true that Kahui was moved to accomodate Smith. And what a fantastic job Kahui did on the wing! I personally thought he has better performed on the wing for the AB's but would love to see him more at 13 (only when Conrad is unavailable of course)

 

[Draggs]

Looks like Hadleigh Parkes is off to the Kings.

 

[Darwin]

Looks like Hadleigh Parkes is off to the Kings.

Interesting move for Parkes. I was wondering whether Parkes would be offered a Blues contract this season - he is a solid midfielder at ITM Cup level, but he is only really a fringe selection at Super Rugby level (he was only in the wider training squad last season). I think he will do pretty well with the Kings - if they play him in the midfield and not at wing/fullback!

 

[combocaz]

Looks like Blues have done a complete u-turn and now want Anscombe apart of the team. Hes taking a couple of weeks to think about it.

 

[nickdnz]

Looks like Blues have done a complete u-turn and now want Anscombe apart of the team. Hes taking a couple of weeks to think about it.

Really? Link?

 

[bobbilycious]

I don't have a link but someone mentioned this was on the news (TV 1) on Tuesday to me. Apparently he isnt that keen on staying with them.