2018 Blues Squad named

...2018 BLUES SQUAD
Hookers: Leni Apisai, Matt Moulds, James Parsons. 
Front row: Alex Hodgman, Sione Mafileo, Pauliasi Manu, Isaac Salmon, Mike Tamoaieta, Ofa Tuungafasi.
Locks: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jimmy Tupou
Loose forwards: Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Jerome Kaino, Dalton Papalii, Glenn Preston, Kara Pryor, Murphy Taramai.
Halfbacks: Sam Nock, Augustine Pulu , Jonathan Ruru.
First-fives: Otere Black/Daniel Kirkpatrick, Bryn Gatland, Stephen Perofeta.
Midfield: Matt Johnson, George Moala, Tamati Tua, TJ Faiane, Sonny Bill Williams.
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, Melanie Nanai, Jordan Trainor.

 Chiefs will have a better side Brycy Apologies to Cloudy.

 No Ranger?? Easily my favourite kiwi player so far.

 Ranger is heading to France ...he has a 2 yr contract with La Rochelle, joining former ABs Victor Vito, TK Barlow, Jason Eaton...La Rochelle are currently top of Group 1 in the Euro Champions Cup so a team worth following...

Departures: Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Brandon Nansen, Epalahame Faiva, Sam Prattley, Billy Guyton, Piers Francis, Ihaia West, Matt Vaega, Declan O'Donnell, Rene Ranger.

...North Harbour's Mike Tamoaieta, Tasman's Isaac Salmon and Southland's Matt Johnson have picked up their first Super Rugby contracts after impressing in the Mitre 10 Cup, while New Zealand under-20 representatives Caleb Clarke, Dalton Papalii and Tamati Tua have transitioned through the Blues development programme.

Their squad features 10 current All Blacks.

Arrivals: Leni Apisai, Isaac Salmon, Mike Tamoaieta, Dalton Papalii, Glenn Preston, Jonathan Ruru, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Matt Johnson, Tamati Tua, Caleb Clarke.

Keep an eye on: Caleb Clarke was one one of the best players at the World Rugby under-20 championship, scoring six tries. But how will the young winger fare in his debut Super Rugby season?

 Things dont look any better for the Blues in 2018 with that squad.Never ceases to amaze me how long Auckland have been poop with such a large population. If every other Kiwi franchise can put out a team capable of winning the comp why can't Auckland?

...were so very close to being relegated this year Auckland if BOP had'nt beaten Waikato they were gone ...might be all that city living - maybe the Blues need to sack their fitness coach..

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