this post was submitted on 11 Nov 2024
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Blues Squad for 2025
Props: Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Marcel Renata, Jordan Lay, Joshua Fusitu’a, PJ Sheck, Ben Ake
Hookers: Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, James Mullan
Locks: Laghlan McWhannell, Cameron Christie, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre
Loose forwards: Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Che Clark
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki
First five-eighths: Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer, Beauden Barrett
Midfielders: Xavi Taele, Corey Evans, Meihana Grindlay, Rieko Ioane
Outside backs: Zarn Sullivan, Mark Tele’a, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Payton Spencer, Reon Paul, Cole Forbes
In: Ake, Christie, Clark, Barrett, Taele, Spencer, Paul
Out: Soane Vikena, James Thompson, Akira Ioane, Rob Rush, Lucas Cashmore, Bryce Heem, Kade Banks, Caleb Tangitau
Quite a few players leaving the Blues looking for game time, a bit surprised nobody made a play to get either Plummer or Perofeta as they'd be keen on playing more, but then why would you want to leave the champs?
AJ Lam is listed as an outside back here, but I would expect he'll be playing in the midfield with Ioane which would be quite a formidable pair. The big loss for the Blues is obviously Akira Ioane as its hard to see any of the remaining loosies having the sort of impact he did this year, but Vern was able to get the best out of him & Sotutu so maybe he'll get some of these other lads to step up too.
A back 3 of Clarke, Sullivan and Tele'a is very, very good and they've got a good balance of young and experienced. Like the Chiefs on the basis of the squads alone, the Blues look the goods.