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The Blues are without the services of some experienced campaigners in 2024, but a new coaching group led by Vern Cotter looks to set the team in a new direction with new leaders.
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Beauden Barrett’s absence has left the keys to Auckland’s attack in the ignition and it will be up to Zarn Sullivan to challenge three-time All Black Stephen Perofeta for the driver’s seat.
Angus Ta’avao relocates to Auckland after six years with the Chiefs where he earned All Blacks honours but has been sidelined with injury for much of the past 18 months.
Ta’avao’s return softens the blow of losing Nepo Laulala, while Ofa Tu’ungafasi is on contract for one more season.
A big storyline this upcoming season will be the response of Hoskins Sotutu, who after a couple of seasons playing Ardie Savea’s understudy with the All Blacks was dumped unceremoniously out of both All Blacks and All Blacks XV favour earlier in the year.
The promise of a fresh start within the national team under incoming coach Scott Robertson will present many players with the extra drive for a career year in 2024. However, Sotutu will have to change the mind of forwards coach Jason Ryan who is the one coach to remain from Ian Foster’s staff.
The short-lived prospect of the team moving away from New Zealand rugby’s spiritual home, Eden Park, has been put to rest as the Blues announced they will remain at the venue for the next two seasons.
“Nothing beats the start of a new season; I’m looking forward to getting the guys in and taking a look under the hood. We’ve done plenty of planning and preparation in the background and now we’re ready to rip into it on the grass,” said Cotter.
“We’ve got a wealth of Super Rugby experience in this squad, players who have been there and done the business for several seasons. I’m excited for what 2024 holds and if we can get on the same page as a collective, we should be competing at the pointy end of the season.”
Josh Beehre, Laghlan McWhannell, PJ Sheck and James Thompson join Ta’avao as newcomers in the forwards, while Kade Banks, Lucas Cashmore, Cole Forbes and Meihana Grindlay join the ranks as backline depth.
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Josh Beehre (Auckland, 0)
Adrian Choat (Auckland, 32)
Sam Darry (Canterbury, 23)
Kurt Eklund (BOP, 51)
Joshua Fusitu’a (Auckland, 6)
Akira Ioane (Auckland, 106)
Jordan Lay (Auckland, 20)
Laghlan McWhannell (Waikato, 0)
Dalton Papali’i (Counties Manakau, 68)
Marcel Renata (Auckland, 38)
Ricky Riccitelli (Taranaki, 24)
Rob Rush (Northland, 1)
Anton Segner (Tasman, 16)
PJ Sheck (Wellington, 0)
Hoskins Sotutu (Counties Manakau, 50)
Cameron Suafoa (North Harbour, 18)
Angus Ta’avao (Auckland, 49)
James Thompson (Counties Manakau, 0)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland, 99)
Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Northland, 136)
Soane Vikena (Auckland, 18)
Kade Banks (North Harbour, 0)
Lucas Cashmore (BOP, 0)
Finlay Christie (Tasman, 45)
Caleb Clarke (Auckland, 49)
Corey Evans (Auckland, 6)
Cole Forbes (BOP, 0)
Taufa Funaki (Auckland, 13)
Meihana Grindlay (Taranaki, 0)
Bryce Heem (Auckland, 33)
Rieko Ioane (Auckland, 101)
AJ Lam (Auckland, 29)
Sam Nock (Northland, 63)
Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki, 57)
Harry Plummer (Auckland, 58)
Zarn Sullivan (Auckland, 32)
Caleb Tangitau (Auckland, 1)
Mark Tele’a (North Harbour, 52)
Comments on RugbyPass
Karl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to comments