Blues 2027

Right new thread. Looking forward. Going to be great to continue to read about Dalton Papali'i and Hoskins Sotutu.

Tab odds to win the comp as of July 2026 $10.

Blues

Not sure if it’s been shared but hearing strong rumours Ardie is with the blues next season

So these are the players leaving and who we need to replace.

AJ Lam <- Rieko Ioane
Jordan Lay
Kurt Eklund
Laghlan McWhannell
Dalton Papali'i
Hoskins Sotutu
Terrel Peita
Stephen Perofeta
Corey Evans
Sam Nock
Cole Forbes <- Darby Lancaster

@brodean said in Blues 2026:

So these are the players leaving and who we need to replace.

AJ Lam <- Rieko Ioane
Jordan Lay
Kurt Eklund
Laghlan McWhannell
Dalton Papali'i
Hoskins Sotutu
Terrel Peita
Stephen Perofeta

Corey Evans ,Sam Nock and Cole Forbes

Israel Leota would be good pick up possibly for Forbes . Ardie for Dalton or Hoskins.
Mcwhannell maybe a Josh Goodhue.

@george33 looking for a 3rd hooker as well as Mullan only signed for 2 years he would have to have one hell of NPC and show some rapid improvement with his throwing in to get a look back in
Ioane Moananu now that he’s back at Counties Manukau could be very good option , either way with Eli Oudenryn expected to take the comp by storm whom ever is gonna be the number 3 hooker should make sure they have a padded seat for the season

@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2027:

@george33 looking for a 3rd hooker as well as Mullan only signed for 2 years he would have to have one hell of NPC and show some rapid improvement with his throwing in to get a look back in
Ioane Moananu now that he’s back at Counties Manukau could be very good option , either way with Eli Oudenryn expected to take the comp by storm whom ever is gonna be the number 3 hooker should make sure they have a padded seat for the season

Be great if we could land Moananu but we can expect some competition.

Mullan is only 23. He physically has the attributes. There have been a number of players over the years that are his age that struggle with their lineout but improved.

@CtownCowboy said in Blues 2027:

Not sure if it’s been shared but hearing strong rumours Ardie is with the blues next season

Yup, I posted in a couple weeks back in the 2026 thread I heard the same thing. If you’re hearing it as well I’d say it’s pretty much a locked in thing.

@Steven-Harris Ioane just sign the boy.
Josh Goodhue in your camp. Super Rugby?

@george33 the strongest rumour with Ioane Moananu is he will be with the Highlanders. Seems to be coming from a range of sources.

He would be a great 1 - 2 punch with Taylor.

@SouthernMann ok don't no at all and actually thought Mullan had another year at Blues. Good pick up.

@george33 Josh would have to show something in the Npc apparently rocked up to day 1 yesterday in very good shape and he is experienced hoping Northland ,Harbour and Auckland all have strong seasons if that’s the case then hopefully many will push their claims to crack the Blues squad
Agree about Ioane Moananu would definitely add impact off the bench

@steven-harris

Goodhue was injured a lot towards the end of his time with the Blues.. lots of head knocks too. Do you know if he had a better run of luck in Japan?

@SouthernMann the guy who could surprise is Heath McEwan who is in the Northland squad be interesting to see how he goes getting consistent rugby .

@Duluth that’s a good point I did chat to his dad Bernard a few weeks ago, last few years he’s had no recurring symptoms which is a good thing for Josh just me personally I do wonder if Super Rugby has passed him by
He would be a handy squad member if extra experience was required

@Steven-Harris more details Just think Josh Goodhue experienced could be a great acquisition. Must be other clubs showing interest. hurricanes ?

@george33 I normally get oil about 3 or 4 rounds into the NPC that’s usually when Super coaches have had a bit of look and are talking to respective coaches

@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2027:

@SouthernMann the guy who could surprise is Heath McEwan who is in the Northland squad be interesting to see how he goes getting consistent rugby .

Was one of the dominant hookers in Dunedin club rugby. Just stuck behind Coltman, Bell and Lolofie was preferred as the development hooker. I hope he doesn't become the modern version of Ricky Riccitelli, who after leaving Dunedin due to a log jam became a mainstay around the country.

@SouthernMann i saw McEwan play a couple of times, think he was 'rested' at the last game Hora Hora play this year, looks a real ball of muscle, I mentioned in another thread, reminded me of a bigger version of Tim Dow.

His throwing wasn't great when I watched.but then he had some small targets, tallest guy in the side was a prop, but his work.around the park has massive upside if he can break into npc here then maybe super, but have to think he will need.to have a hell of seasons to leapfrog Mullan and.Hutchings, who IMO is another Riccitelli like player too.

But as @brodean says, Mullan has the physical attributes, just needs to.sort his throwing.

Grok tells me Goodhue did not miss any games in Japan due to concussion.

Leo Gordon strikes me as an option to replace Evans

@kiwimurph said in Blues 2027:

Leo Gordon strikes me as an option to replace Evans

Yeah, he looked good in the Blues preseason match v the Crusaders. He should've gotten a run during the last season

Is it too early for Siale Pahulu? He already has the physical dimensions

@brodean said in Blues 2027:

Is it too early for Siale Pahulu? He already has the physical dimensions

What I'm seeing, a bit rubbish on defence, game is littered with the occasional basic error, and he hasn't really asserted himself physically despite his size. Definitely a lot of potential there though, but can't imagine he'd be ready for Super.

@Tim Glad he has a new home.

He would have suited Vern Ball. Not so sure he will suit Holland's running footy.

@SouthernMann said in Blues 2027:

@Tim Glad he has a new home.

He would have suited Vern Ball. Not so sure he will suit Holland's running footy.

Thinking the same thing.

I'm happy with this signing. There aren't a lot of options around at the moment. Simpson and Norrie are still in the mix.

He made a pretty awesome combo with Pledger in the NPC. Hopefully we can pick up Pledger soon too.

Just seen Dalton has picked up injury at Castre during training and is out for 6 months . Needs surgery.

@george33 said in Blues 2027:

Just seen Dalton has picked up injury at Castre during training and is out for 6 months . Needs surgery.

Achilles suck. Poor bastard. Still at least he got paid

Funaki 2028 . great news.

Hopefully he has some better luck with injuries. When he had a decent run of starts back in 2024 he looked good

According to Liam Napier on the Rugby Direct podcast:

Savea met with the Blues during the Nations Championship tests, and they have made a formal offer. It is with NZR who are looking at what can be done financially. Napier's opinion is that it is likely that Savea signs with the Blues.

@tim Segner, Savea, Wrampling, Barnes is a great starting 23 group of loosies.

@southernmann I'm also interested to see what Christie can do. He is coming back from an ACL injury though.