Auckland Blues To Infinity and Beyond

[KiwiM]

Excellent - Rieko gives himself a real chance to become an AB great and Akira gives himself a real chance to become a full time All Black.

I can't wait to see new Blues forwards coach Coventry work with Akira next year. He's already indicated his goal is to get Akira into the All Blacks.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

John Hart (RWC 2003) and John Drake were my alltime favourite commentators

People's Front of Judea/ Judean People's Front

i dont care where the new place is but if they don't call it "Eden Park" I am goign to march down there and burn the c**t to the fucken ground. Biffing away 100 years of All Black legend just cos Helen Clark may potentially get her precious beauty sleep interrupted 6 nights a fucken year is PATHETIC.

Akira​

While half us pricks are braying from the ramparts "where is Akira" its easy to forget he is still only 21. The beard and slightly shambling other-than-production-line gait make him look about 35.

 

[Dan54]

While half us pricks are braying from the ramparts "where is Akira" its easy to forget he is still only 21. The beard and slightly shambling other-than-production-line gait make him look about 35.

Exactly DP, why I think Shag and co take him into AB camps for training, he got a bit to learn yet, but he still got the makings of being a top international player when he learns all the tricks etc!

 

[Derpus]

While half us pricks are braying from the ramparts "where is Akira" its easy to forget he is still only 21. The beard and slightly shambling other-than-production-line gait make him look about 35.

Shannon Frizell is only 24 and has 18 fewer Super Rugby caps that Akira.

He's also at least 5 times worse. Akira has made a serious mistake resigning for the Blues and not applying for Australian Citizenship.

He'll be rolling out for fucking Bristol City in no time.

 

[zer0]

I'm interested to see how things now pan out for Rieko. If he sticks it out as a pure winger then he may well be done as a starter by 2023/2024 as he'd be aged 26/27 -- the age when All Black strike wingers tend to drop off a cliff. Plus there will be inevitable competition from the likes of Caleb Clarke and production line wingers 84912 through 91037.

Alternatively he's spoken plenty about wanting to ultimately play in the midfield, so that's another option. But then he'll have to go toe-to-toe with Jack Goodhue, tenured All Black centre (2018-2031). That's not a conflict I see him winning. Particularly if he hangs out on the Blues wing for too long and allows the gulf in midfield experience between him and Goodhue to widen further.

His best option, to mine, may be to learn as much as he can from the Accountant, including how to kick, and try set himself up as a right/second fullback winger who can cover the midfield. Or maybe even as a proper fullback.

 

[KiwiM]

Shannon Frizell is only 24 and has 18 fewer Super Rugby caps that Akira.

He's also at least 5 times worse. Akira has made a serious mistake resigning for the Blues and not applying for Australian Citizenship.

He'll be rolling out for fucking Bristol City in no time.

I was impressed by Frizell in his first start in the 6 jersey vs Argie.

My issue is with Squire who somehow seems to have the 6 jersey on lockdown. The guy is a flat track bully who loves a cheap shot and goes missing/gets injured when the going gets tough. Next.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

The dominoes have started falling:

https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/107808554/betrayed-the-secret-speedway-deal

TLDR: Speedway moving from Western Springs to a new purpose-built facility near the airport; cricket will relocate to WS in due course; at which point Eden Park ceases to be a multi-purpose, year-round venue & can be turned into a retirement village, medium density housing estate or whatever the Neighbours Ass'n find least objectionable.

 

[zer0]

Dalton Papali'i seems set to be named in the All Blacks, and thus begin his ascension to the greater role of Blues Designated Messiah 2019.

Auckland flanker Dalton Papali'i looks set to be a surprise call up to the All Blacks when the squad for the end of season tour to Japan and Europe is named on Monday.

Papali'i, who turned 21 last week, had another outstanding game for Auckland in their 45-29 win over North Harbour on Sunday at Eden Park.

While his Auckland coach, Alama Ieremia, didn't confirm Papali'i, was going to make the All Blacks, he did try to sidestep a question when asked if he's going to lose any players for Saturday's semifinal against Wellington because of All Blacks call ups.

"Let's just say I can't answer that for now, that's an awkward question," Ieremia said smiling in the post match press conference, with Papali'i sitting next to him.

But it is believed Dalton has been selected for the trip as the All Blacks selectors look for someone to fill in for Sam Cane, who'll be out for several months with a broken neck.

Names that have been thrown around as a replacement include Dillon Hunt, James Lentjes and Mitch Karpik.

Others might also get selected for the trip, but it appears Papali'i's seat on the plane is sorted.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...-papalii-set-to-be-all-blacks-bolter-for-tour

Praise be unto he.

 

[Dan54]

Dalton Papali'i seems set to be named in the All Blacks, and thus begin his ascension to the greater role of Blues Designated Messiah 2019.



https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...-papalii-set-to-be-all-blacks-bolter-for-tour

Praise be unto he.

Without being a know all zer0, I did mention this in here a few weeks back, I think he looks the business, and as I said then would be named in my All Black team well before Akira, who will probably be named for Japan game anyway.

 

[KiwiM]

Yeah Papali'i is deserving of a callup - he looks a class above the other 7 contenders - including Dillon Hunt who he schooled yesterday.

 

[zer0]

On the stadium, this is the latest proposal.

[The] plan involves redeveloping all of Bledisloe Wharf as what they’re calling the Bledisloe Quarter and intended to complement Wynyard Quarter at the other end of the waterfront. The centrepiece would be a new 50,000 seat (expandable to 65k) fully enclosed stadium sunk into the seabed to reduce the visible bulk of it. It would be able to host rectangle field sports as large concerts. In addition, there would be about 2,500 dwellings, enough for about 6,000 people, and enough office space for about 6,000 employees.

https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2018/10/19/a-new-waterfront-stadium-proposal/

There's some renderings and cross-sections in the link. I'd say it's certainly better than the previous waterfront proposals due to it A) being sunk to limit it's visual impact, B) having the outermost concourse as a public space, and C) having an accompanying mixed use higher density development. Plus there's bugger all going on at the east end of the waterfront.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^ & all the developers want is someone to "contribute" $365Mn of land & Ports of Auckland to essentially renege on a done deal to relocate vehicle imports. Plus let them do whatever with Eden Park after it's been "contributed" (won't the Neighbours and/ or Residents Association(s) just love that ).

https://i.stuff.co.nz/auckland/107941275/plans-for-18-billion-auckland-waterfront-stadium-unveiled

Haven't heard much lately about the other propsal for it to go near Vector Arena, is that still live?

 

[Dan54]

Man, could give a lot of excuses for dropped ball during tests, there no rain but the ball appears wet! Would they be able to open a gate and have waterpolo on during the off season?

 

[Wilson]

And I **GUARANTEE**, Gunston Guarantee, that, at some stage down the line, there will be a news story of the fucker leaking.



"New Eden Park denies reports of pitch bubbling."



"New Eden Park denies reports of stadium wall hairline cracks which appear 'moist to the touch'"



"New Eden Park denies reports of hoary great crack pissing in water".





"New Eden Park denies reports of entire North Stand currently bobbing off the coast of Waiheke".



New Eden Park denies reports of enormous creaking sound which caused deadly fan stampede during All Blacks test."



"New Eden Park denies reports of Gunston and Gunston Heavy Industries involvement during stadium construction process."

"Auckland blues make historic switch to new professional Super Water Polo competition, big things expected"

"Auckland Blues take wooden spoon in Super Water Polo"

 

[zer0]

So Robbie Abel and Evan Olmstead somehow didn't get spots at the Blues despite the dearth of options at hooker and at lock, behind the starting pair of Scrafton and Tuipulotu. Yet they've retained guys like Cowley-Tuioti. Fantastic.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

At least they're shot of Murphy fucken Taramai

Fat guts Apisai gets to go around again, just pathetic.

Loosies looks solid

Woah, some depth at 1st 5? WFT. Perofuture vs Plummer vs Otere Black.

yeah lock looks dicey as usual, especially once Pat T/Scrafton go down for the season after comically colliding chasing the very first kickoff in the very first preseason game.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

zer0 - I'd have thought Olmstead was a dead-cert for Super Rugby honours but isn't Abel still contracted to the Brumbies?

FTR:

2019 Blues squad:

Front row: Leni Apisai, Alex Hodgman, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Sione Mafileo, Matt Moulds, James Parsons, Marcel Renata, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi.

Locks: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Jacob Pierce, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu.

Loose forwards: Jed Brown, Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Hoskins Sotutu, Jimmy Tupou.

Halfbacks: Sam Nock, Augustine Pulu, Jonathan Ruru.

First-fives: Otere Black, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer.

Midfield: Levi Aumua, TJ Faiane, Ma'a Nonu, Tanielu Tele'a, Sonny Bill Williams.

Outside Backs: Caleb Clarke, Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, Melani Nanai, Jordan Trainor.

 

[KiwiM]

Props look good. tick.

Hookers look shithouse. Apisai was abysmal but the muppets signed him to a 2 year deal last year so they are stuck with him.

Locks look decent but depth a worry

Loosies look fine. Tupou is an awful re-signing. Should be Olmstead

Halfbacks shouldn't have Pulu. Should have some fresh blood. Ruru was good for Auckland and this feels like Nock's last chance

10s look good. Plummer will hopefully be given opportunities - he showed during Mitre 10 Cup he is up to it.

Midfield looks entirely unbalanced. Tumua Manu should be there - no idea why they have 2 ageing 12s. Tele'a is a highly rated youngster so that's fine.

Outside backs - I'm glad Trainor got picked. He had a terrific Mitre 10 Cup. Collins is an absolutely shithouse re-signing which cost the Blues Rayasi - awful. Collins is slow as a sloth, can't tackle and can't kick. Rubbish.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

In true Blues fashion, the dumbarse wooden spoon bastards have chosen to persist with half the dogshit players who failed them last time, and this time expect the results to be different. Instead of, oh I don't know, giving someone else who's not a fucken loser a go.

​

Jimmy Tupou: not soup rugby level
Pulu: yes, defends ferociously and will light you the fuck up no matter your size but that doesnt negate his glacially slow surveying at ruck base.
Ma'a Nonu: he's a fucking Hurricane ffs. Through and through."Mercenaries, useless, disunited, unfaithful. They have nothing more to keep them in a battle other than a meager wage. Which is just about enough to make them want to kill for you but not enough to make them want to die for you" - Cale, John.
Michael Collins: FFS another season of vanilla dogturd Joan Collins keeping Nanai on the bench, just great, just fucken great Tana.

Leni Apisai: hopeless pudding garbage hour​

James Parsons: unco dipshit, lost at sea on dry land.​

 

[oztimmay]

James Parsons: unco dipshit, lost at sea on dry land.

Best one-liner ever!