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Blues confirm new captains for 2019

By Online Editors
Patrick Tuipulotu makes a break for the Blues. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

The Blues coaching group, led by new head coach Leon MacDonald, have confirmed shared captaincy for the upcoming 2019 season.

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Co-Captains Blake Gibson and Patrick Tuipulotu will share the role of leading the Blues team for the upcoming Investec Super Rugby season.

The pair have proven captaincy experience with Auckland in the Mitre 10 Cup, having recently led the province to a Premiership crown in 2018.

MacDonald sees value in having the captaincy shared by two players with proven leadership success and who the club holds in high regard.

“It is a real benefit to have two players of this calibre who are from our region and are so committed to the club and the people we represent,” said MacDonald.

“Blake and Patrick, together with all our 2019 squad and management group, are hungry for success and these two will get the team following them both on and off the field.”

23-year-old Gibson – a former NZ U20s standout – is entering his fourth season with the team after making his debut in 2015.

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Tuipulotu made his Blues debut against the Highlanders in 2014 and has gone on to play 53 times for the club.  At just 25 years old, Patrick is a senior Blues player and was one of the form players on the recent All Blacks end of year tour.

“Both Blake and Patrick are hungry to lead the Blues to success in 2019 and we are excited by the strong values, skills and experience they bring to the group,” said MacDonald.

Patrick and his fellow All Blacks team members are currently on leave following the Northern Tour whilst the rest of the 2019 Blues squad are into their second week of preseason training.

The Blues open the 2019 Super Rugby season against the Crusaders at Eden Park on Saturday 16 February.

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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