@Duluth
The negatives comments came just after a team announcement in which his name appeared for the first time in SRA. It was on the wing and his performance was rather meh. A number of ferners then claimed he was too slow and better (and younger) options existed.

@Daffy-Jaffy I believe he will or has been offered an option for 2023

@Nogusta said in Blues v Reds:

@Daffy-Jaffy I believe he will or has been offered an option for 2023

Great news, he's been really good for us.

@Kirwan hes done exactly the job Leon brought him in for and been great at it! Injury/utility cover and veteran leadership/experience around the club. Has turned a 1 year 'lifeline' into 3 seasons of SR.
Youd've thought that when Plummer and RTS both went down long term that Tele'a would've been next in line but Heem has been McDonalds preferred option. That doesnt bode well for Tele'a for the immediate future especially with Plummer back. He will be the 4th option at 12 so wont get many if any starting opportunities. He could be on the move next year.
I wonder too how patient Corey Evans will be stuck behind RTS. Hes too good not to be getting more than the odd appearance off the bench.

@Nogusta said in Blues v Reds:

@Kirwan hes done exactly the job Leon brought him in for and been great at it! Injury/utility cover and veteran leadership/experience around the club. Has turned a 1 year 'lifeline' into 3 seasons of SR.
Youd've thought that when Plummer and RTS both went down long term that Tele'a would've been next in line but Heem has been McDonalds preferred option. That doesnt bode well for Tele'a for the immediate future especially with Plummer back. He will be the 4th option at 12 so wont get many if any starting opportunities. He could be on the move next year.
I wonder too how patient Corey Evans will be stuck behind RTS. Hes too good not to be getting more than the odd appearance off the bench.

Yeah, it's certainly a different problem for the Blues - too many good players, not enough spots. Great for depth, not great for individual careers and will be hard to keep everyone.

@Nogusta I could see Heem transitioning next year into the 2021 Romano role at the Crusaders - older head who doesn't play as much whilst Evans gets more game time.

@Nogusta said in Blues v Reds:

I wonder too how patient Corey Evans will be stuck behind RTS. Hes too good not to be getting more than the odd appearance off the bench.

Corey looked silk when I saw him playing. Hopefully he gets more time next year, and develops well during the NPC.

There's quality talent coming through which is awesome.

@nzzp the lack of NPC in 2021 has certainly not helped some players particularly those in the greater Auckland region, just exaggerated the issues already with stuttered seasons.

Reds

Dane Zander, Albert Anae, Feao Fotuaika, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Connor Vest, Angus Scott-Young, Seru Uru, Tate McDermott (c), James O'Connor, Jordan Petaia, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell

Reserves: Matt Faessler, Harry Hoopert, Sef Fa'agase, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tuaina Tualima, Kalani Thomas, Hamish Stewart, Lawson Creighton

@Duluth With Albert Anae playing hooker, the Blues will want to pressure his throws. It looks like the Reds have picked the heaviest, tallest pack available to them. They will miss Wilson at 8 though. That backline has plenty of pace and looks much stronger with O'Connor and Paisami back this week.
Edit - I just realised that Fraser McReight is also out. They will miss him too, he has been outstanding for them.

Referee:Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1:Angus Mabey
Assistant Ref 2:Jono Bredin
TMO: Aaron Paterson

@Nogusta said in Blues v Reds:

I wonder too how patient Corey Evans will be stuck behind RTS.

He's welcome to head south if Havili doesn't decide to go further south...

@Bones think realistic.. Plummer in Dunners

@FakatavaFuture said in Blues v Reds:

@Bones think realistic.. Plummer in Dunners

Plummer would be a great get for the Highlanders.

@Kirwan sure, the guy came up clutch in last yrs final

Not on the Blues site yet, but this is on the official Aussie rugby site:

Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Tucker, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta

Reserves: Soana Vikena, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan

@Duluth said in Blues v Reds:

Not on the Blues site yet, but this is on the official Aussie rugby site:

Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Tucker, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta

Reserves: Soana Vikena, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan

I'm liking that team a lot. Glad they are giving Vikena another run, and I like Robinson at lock.

A very mobile pack

@Kirwan said in Blues v Reds:

@Duluth said in Blues v Reds:

Not on the Blues site yet, but this is on the official Aussie rugby site:

Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Tucker, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta

Reserves: Soana Vikena, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan

I'm liking that team a lot. Glad they are giving Vikena another run, and I like Robinson at lock.

I do against the Reds; if the Saffers were still in the comp, I'd hate it. You need some power against those boys

@nzzp said in Blues v Reds:

@Kirwan said in Blues v Reds:

@Duluth said in Blues v Reds:

Not on the Blues site yet, but this is on the official Aussie rugby site:

Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Tucker, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta

Reserves: Soana Vikena, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan

I'm liking that team a lot. Glad they are giving Vikena another run, and I like Robinson at lock.

I do against the Reds; if the Saffers were still in the comp, I'd hate it. You need some power against those boys

Where are we losing power? Robinson? He's not small, and Romano is on the bench anyway.