Barrett should be back. Are Romano and/or Hodgman expected to be fit?

Backline mostly the same apart from Barrett coming back? I guess Perofeta will start at fullback ahead of Zarn?

The ranking of the locks will be interesting

Vikena had a mixed game. I still hope he makes the bench ahead of RR

I'd like to see them try Beaudy at 15 and Perofeta at 10 but it won't happen.

@Duluth I'd leave Zarn at the back with Perofeta replacing Lam on the bench. Leon n co will definitely try n put out the top 23 every week and I too would like to see Vikena as the backup hooker. Apparently RTS and Bryce Heem have been pretty banged up for a few weeks now and only just making it onto the field. Heem only managed 1 training session prior to last Fridays game. So maaaybe a change there.

@Nogusta

If Heem is out then Tanielu Tele'a would come onto the bench to cover midfield?

I wonder if Evans might get another shot if RTS/Heem are banged up.

@Duluth Heem looked fine on Friday and showed his value off the bench covering fullback and then moving up to centre. Hopefully he's fit this week

I remember when many Ferners said Heem's recruitment was an absolute nonsense. Times have changed.

@cgrant said in Blues v Reds:

I remember when many Ferners said Heem's recruitment was an absolute nonsense. Times have changed.

Blues fans? I’m pretty sure it was mostly positive

Yeah it was mostly positive in the Blues thread. See the responses to the announcement here: link

Maybe non Blues fans were talking shit?

@cgrant He's gone much better than I thought he would. While he's not a natural midfielder he's been an excellent utility.

@cgrant I think those who did not rate his signing remembered the mostly Sevens player that left in 2015 and did not follow his 96 games in Europe since then. For both Worcester and Toulon he proved to be solid, reliable quality at Wing, Centre and Fullback. The question now is whether he will stay on another year or will they promote a new young prospect next season. He will turn 34 before next season starts.

@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.

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