The Blues?!

[TRF_Darwin]

Not surprised to see Williams given the captaincy in the absence of Mealamu, but personally I don't think he is a good choice. I have never seen any hint of leadership abilities. To me he only looks like he is playing for one person: Ali Williams. I would have given Luke Braid the captaincy again, as he was quite inspirational at times for them over the later half of last season. Though I do agree with Larksea that he perhaps showed a lack of captaincy experience at times, but he I thought he did a good job after being thrown in the deep end, and will only improve with more experience.

[Amobokoboko]

On the picture in the newspaper Ali looks old tired. I hope he can prove himself worthy altho it will be a difficult task with most of the keyplayers having left.

[Amobokoboko]

I thought Luke Braid was thrown into the fire when he was made captian of the blues at that time last season and did a pretty "good job" but not great. He lead by example on the field but maybe lacked a bit of experience at times and was pretty average at the post match interviews, which lets face it are important in the modern era.

I think Williams will do ok as long as he stays fit. Boric is another option, not a heck of a lot of other options otherwise.

Did Boric fully recover from his neck injury?

[Larksea]

Did Boric fully recover from his neck injury?

I've seen very little information about Boric other than he is in the blues squad for 2013, which is the only positive news I've seen on him since he picked up that neck injury.

it's been quite strange.

First the injury was only meant to keep him out a couple of weeks.
Then yes it was going to take longer.
it turns out to be season ending.
then talk that he's tempted to give up the game because of it
Next was waiting to see if he was going to be named in the NH ITM cup squad - it's announced and he's a no show.
Then the only positive news, he is named in the blues squad.
Still no idea what shape he's in, what his status is.

I've seen updates on Kahui, all over the news this week. Great to hear he is doing very well, seen nothing on Boric. I should start watching crowd goes wild more, they had him on every once in a while - maybe I missed an appearance.

[Bruthr]

Malneek has played for the NZ15's, Toured with the Junior Kiwi's prior to Tasman Mako's, 10's World Tournament in Hong Kong, Was picked to play for NZ International 7's team from Gordon Tichens, but was injured at the time. Yes he is a journeyman, but he's a hell of a player! I am surprised that he did not get a contract for 2013 Super rugby. Robbies style is electrifying, and sometimes that's not what coaches want. I think Malneek can fit into any team, due to his versatility. The bloke has a good goal kick on him, but he wont line up for that responsibility, which in my mind, would be his ticket into a Super rugby contract. If he gets a chance at Super rugby, he will settle his critics

[Larksea]

yip, I recon if Malneek got a chance in super rugby he would not disappoint, at the very least he would be a very good bench option in the last 20min against tired defense.

this answers the question on where Ranger will play this year.

http://www.allblacks.com/news/21360/...role-for-Blues

going to be interesting to see who is selected on the wings and 12.

Ranger is a devastating player in his own right but for me when we have seen him at his best it has been when he has been in combination feeding off another player, Toeava and Payne in particular. without either of those guys in the team and no one really like them he is going to have to become the provider at 13, kinda a different role for him.

more talk about Henry being the defense coach. I still think the biggest plus for the blues next season is going to be Ted and his defense in particular, that factor alone baring all other personal changes should see the blues have a better season. Surely Defense under Ted will be better than it was under Lam and my gut feeling is that it will be more than that, I recon they will have one of the best defenses around and be a platform for them to win matches.