Blues
Match thread
Drua
@Duluth said in Blues v Drua:
If Perofeta's calf issues are lingering again we really need to look at the next option (Taele, Rico?). I think we haven't subbed off a ten all year
Definitely would be good to give the next option some game time. Perofeta's injury problems combined with Plummer's departure have created another depth issue at 10.
I would like to see Simpson in the 23. By all accounts he looked good in preseason and has been playing for the development team
@Duluth said in Blues v Drua:
Yeah I think Zarn was a head knock
Good point about Barrett. Maybe Perofeta is good to go?
If Perofeta's calf issues are lingering again we really need to look at the next option (Taele, Rico?). I think we haven't subbed off a ten all year
I assume the headknock was from the highshot from Amatosero that wasn't sighted? Sullivan posted it on social media lol.
@brodean said in Blues v Drua:
compared to what Forbes has delivered in the past
Forbes' 2026 form isn't that good and it sounds like he's signing overseas.
With a couple of guys out, I'd rather find out more about a younger player (I suspect Cotter would go with Forbes though)
@Duluth said in Blues v Drua:
Maybe a starting trio of Segner/Sotutu/Barnes? Possibly Wrampling on the bench? There's not really any openside cover when Dalton is missing
Jed Melvin ?
@Duluth said in Blues v Drua:
@brodean said in Blues v Drua:
compared to what Forbes has delivered in the past
Forbes' 2026 form isn't that good and it sounds like he's signing overseas.
With a couple of guys out, I'd rather find out more about a younger player (I suspect Cotter would go with Forbes though)
That's because hes been played on the wing. He is not a good winger. He is a playmaker fullback. In all honesty I was surprised Spencer was retained after what he showed for Auckland last year
@cgrant said in Blues v Drua:
Jed Melvin ?
Hopefully Melvin plays this game. He was outstanding in the development teams last game vs the Crusaders. I rate him and suspect he will thrive at Super level in a strong pack. I would pick him to replace Dalton in the squad next year. He is also effective in all 3 loosie positions.
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi (159)
- Bradley Slater (3)
- Marcel Renata (72)
- Josh Beehre (33)
- Sam Darry (c) (39)
- Torian Barnes (5)
- Anton Segner (44)
- Malachi Wrampling (2)
- Taufa Funaki (37)
- Beauden Barrett (47)
- Caleb Clarke (81)
- Pita Ahki (19)
- AJ Lam (64)
- Cole Forbes (34)
- Payton Spencer (1)
Reserves: 16. James Mullan (9), 17. Mason Tupaea (14), 18. Sam Matenga (4), 19. Che Clark (6), 20. Jed Melvin (debut), 21. Finlay Christie (74), 22. Xavi Taele (11), 23. Codemeru Vai (6)
Players not considered due to injury: Cameron Christie (knee, season), Corey Evans (ankle), Joshua Fusitu’a (bicep), Jordan Lay (concussion), Laghlan McWhannell (concussion), Sam Nock (concussion), Dalton Papali’i (back), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Hoskins Sotutu (knee), Zarn Sullivan (concussion), Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder)
Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani (c), Kemu Valetini, Ponipate Loganimasi, Iosefo Namoce, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Epeli Momo, Iliasia Droasese
Replacements: Mesulame Dolokolo, Emosi Tuqiri, Peni Ravai, Joseva Tamani, Isoa Tuwai, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Virimi Vakatawa
8 of those injured players could be in a top 23 selection, so our depth is being tested. Lets hope most of them are back after the bye round for the business end. Locks and loosies for this game are very young. Darry the 'veteran' at 25 years old. Looking forward to see Melvin go. I hope he gets decent minutes.
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues v Drua:
our depth is being tested
So far the young guys have responded
I'm always nervous about Clark covering lock. It's asking a lot of a guy who hasn't settled into the loosies at this level
Huge game for Melvin. He's basically playing for a 2027 contract
@Duluth said in Blues v Drua:
nervous about Clark covering lock
Its an interesting and risky choice. If a lock goes down early we put the scrum and lineout at risk. Also both dev. Locks (Cook and Lee) have been going very well. Mind you I still rate Clark as a player and hope he gets some decent game time in his specialist position at some stage to give him confidence.
Random thought - could Akira be off contract soon and be back next year?
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues v Drua:
Random thought - could Akira be off contract soon and be back next year?
Was wondering about that the other day. I couldn't find anything on how long his Japanese contract was.
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues v Drua:
Random thought - could Akira be off contract soon and be back next year?
The thought crossed my mind too - with Rennie in Japan and Rennie made a reference in his initial press conference around how many kiwis are overseas and looking to get some back.
Consistency. Love it.
Backrow is the Blues back row for the next 3-5 years. Unless we can find a really good 7, Segner will cover.
Need a bonus point win going into the bye seeing how log jammed 1-5 are.
Hopefully Canes will do the job against Reds and Tahs can upset the Brumbies.
@Duluth said in Blues v Drua:
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi (159)
- Bradley Slater (3)
- Marcel Renata (72)
- Josh Beehre (33)
- Sam Darry (c) (39)
- Torian Barnes (5)
- Anton Segner (44)
- Malachi Wrampling (2)
- Taufa Funaki (37)
- Beauden Barrett (47)
- Caleb Clarke (81)
- Pita Ahki (19)
- AJ Lam (64)
- Cole Forbes (34)
- Payton Spencer (1)
Reserves: 16. James Mullan (9), 17. Mason Tupaea (14), 18. Sam Matenga (4), 19. Che Clark (6), 20. Jed Melvin (debut), 21. Finlay Christie (74), 22. Xavi Taele (11), 23. Codemeru Vai (6)
Players not considered due to injury: Cameron Christie (knee, season), Corey Evans (ankle), Joshua Fusitu’a (bicep), Jordan Lay (concussion), Laghlan McWhannell (concussion), Sam Nock (concussion), Dalton Papali’i (back), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Hoskins Sotutu (knee), Zarn Sullivan (concussion), Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder)
Don't think it's been mentioned, but the Joeli Vidiri Memorial Trophy will be on the line for the first time between these sides.
@African-Monkey look up booboo
@Tim said in Blues v Drua:
Forbes should not be playing wing.
Bingo. No reason he should be starting over Vai. Ridiculous
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Drua:
Funaki caught napping and its 7-7
That clean out on Funaki after they stole it should have been a card.
@African-Monkey Our defence is a bit different with this loose trio.
Can’t give the Drua a sniff. If the blues don’t get their stuff together this could be quite the interesting game
@Landers92 said in Blues v Drua:
Can’t give the Drua a sniff. If the blues don’t get their stuff together this could be quite the interesting game
We've been 2nd best so far.
Where is this from the Drua away from home every week?