Tony Martin
Very good player. Would of expected him to be starting for a blues and even an abs squad member by now. Havnt followed him much since he left st Kents but he must of had a few injuries over the years
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Defence
Fark yeah I'm all for signing a couple of rah rahs- get the next vunivalu or Gordon falcon ( for those old enough to remember him).
Bunty
He barely gets a start for Auckland these days. He's behind Luatua, Ioane and Seu. Another few players that would be worth a look at would be Jordan Manihera, So’otala Fa’aso’o and Tj Faiane
Blain
Hmm, I think signing guys who can't make the Auckland Blues is clutching at straws. Maybe throw them a second tier contract if they trial and impress for the NSWarriors squad.. Even if we signed Matt Duffie, who has played league for years, I wouldn't be confident in him playing much first grade.
InsideBall
Totally agree. We already lament the lack of basic league skills, knowledge and awareness of the players that come through our system - because of a dirth of quality coaching for juniors, etc - surely we don't need to exacerbate that problem by bringing in non top tier union players who don't understand the game at a high level...
Totally off topic. But has to do with Kearney. Recruitment wise i see he likes his Maori players, I'd prefer the Australian born Maori who have come through the Australian system.
Mentally tougher (So they say) and can stick to game plans/structures. Not just relying on brute strength and natural ability.
I had a blog for a while, That was all about Australian born players with pacific island/ Maori heritage. Australian players with Maori parent/s :
Javid Bowen
Dylan Walker
Corey Norman
Valentine Holmes
Kaylyn Ponga
Jordan Mclean
Dane Gagai
Josh Hoffman.
Kearney can persuade one/couple of them with a hangi and a boil up and get them here?
No?........Ok. don't mind me. Lol
Mentally tougher (So they say) and can stick to game plans/structures. Not just relying on brute strength and natural ability.
I had a blog for a while, That was all about Australian born players with pacific island/ Maori heritage. Australian players with Maori parent/s :
Javid Bowen
Dylan Walker
Corey Norman
Valentine Holmes
Kaylyn Ponga
Jordan Mclean
Dane Gagai
Josh Hoffman.
Kearney can persuade one/couple of them with a hangi and a boil up and get them here?
No?........Ok. don't mind me. Lol
The Batman
MurrayTD
We need a winger. Jordan Kahu please. Can you throw in a Rapana also please, the winger for the Raiders?
Defence
That's the one- went to Penrith and was a machine- pity he didn't make the move sooner.
I was talking about Aussie born Maori. Although Sam was born in shrimp on the barbi land.
*Edit There are a heap more i could of added. But thought I'd mention these blokes in particular, as a lot of people don't know that they are part maori.
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Weno
Hoffman had a great season.
Would have no issues if he was recalled to the Kiwi squad.
Dylan Walker was at the other end of the scale in my opinion.
Shuffled around at Manly.
Gave the young man no chance to really settle in.
We know what he can do, he usually saves his best for us.
mt.wellington
Warriors Orange Peeler
Contributor
Dont forget Tohu Harris wasnt even wanted by Hawkes Bay Rugby. Malakai Fekitoa wasnt wanted by the Auckland Blues. All about identifying the right candidates...
bruce
Contributor
The Blues didn't want Konnie Hurrell either.
You forgot Jonathan Thurston
DunzUdied
shuffle
Five&Last
While its just scraps left on the market at this stage, I think we should be targeting Zane Musgrove to boost our prop competition. Very young, from Auckland, plays with aggression and always bends the line. He would fit in well with our young prop rotation of Vete, Lisone, Sipley and Afoa. If we can't get him on board I think we make do with what we have as the next best off contract props are not better than what we have currently (Sam Tagataese, Eloni Vunakece, Josh Starling) or out of our price range (Sam Moa) or young props that may still have some potential left but aren't worth the hassle or risk of bringing over (Francis Molo, Andy Saunders, Braden Uele).
There is nothing available on the wing that is better than what we have, however, one option could be Vai Toutai, could be a good succession plan for Manu next year. Other options that I don't think will happen are Tony Tumusa (his height will limit him at NRL level) or Reimis Smith (Dogs will do everything to keep him I'd imagine).
At second row, truthfully, I don't think we'll make any moves. Hoffman is still under contract, Bodene is going good and we have Ogden and Afoa coming through. Kelepi Tanginoa could be worth a punt as a line breaker and hole runner.
There is nothing available on the wing that is better than what we have, however, one option could be Vai Toutai, could be a good succession plan for Manu next year. Other options that I don't think will happen are Tony Tumusa (his height will limit him at NRL level) or Reimis Smith (Dogs will do everything to keep him I'd imagine).
At second row, truthfully, I don't think we'll make any moves. Hoffman is still under contract, Bodene is going good and we have Ogden and Afoa coming through. Kelepi Tanginoa could be worth a punt as a line breaker and hole runner.
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