Blues 2026
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@KiwiMurph said in Auckland Rugby 2025:
@Kirwan said in Auckland Rugby 2025:
@African-Monkey said in Auckland Rugby 2025:
@Kirwan said in Auckland Rugby 2025:
I'm on the Tito-Harris FAB bandwagon, can't wait to get him playing with Clarke and the Blues
Hopefully he doesn't end up at the Highlanders.
If the Cantabs could stockpile tens back in the day, we can stockpile wingers. I hear Tito-Harris can play midfield too, so one to keep to develop that as well
It's not even stockpiling. Blues have lost Telea, Tangitau and Kade Banks in the last 12 months (plus Heem who could play wing though not so much in recent years). Blues desperately need wingers.
Replying to a post from the Auckland thread
It's not just wing - there's room for a lot of new faces in the backs. Telea & Plummer gone, Ioane on sabbatical, Grindlay out of favour and Paul injured
They should be signing up a few of the young Auckland backs
I presume they'll try to recruit an experienced midfielder. If that doesn't work out I wonder if they'll resurrect the Zarn to midfield plan that didn't happen this year because of injury?
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2026:
@Nogusta any idea of the Blues interest in Tito-Harris? There should be real questions asked if they lose him to the Highlanders
No approach yet from the Blues.
XTH also has a couple weeks to decide whether or not to stay a contracted 7s player or opt out and stay in SR.
I'd imagine he would want a SR contract in his back pocket before foregoing his 7s contract. -
@Nogusta said in Blues 2026:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2026:
@Nogusta any idea of the Blues interest in Tito-Harris? There should be real questions asked if they lose him to the Highlanders
No approach yet from the Blues.
XTH also has a couple weeks to decide whether or not to stay a contracted 7s player or opt out and stay in SR.
I'd imagine he would want a SR contract in his back pocket before foregoing his 7s contract.Hopefully the lad has a Landers contract sitting in his inbox and Caleb Tangitau telling him how good it is playing under the roof.
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@Nogusta said in Blues 2026:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2026:
@Nogusta any idea of the Blues interest in Tito-Harris? There should be real questions asked if they lose him to the Highlanders
No approach yet from the Blues.
XTH also has a couple weeks to decide whether or not to stay a contracted 7s player or opt out and stay in SR.
I'd imagine he would want a SR contract in his back pocket before foregoing his 7s contract.Thanks. You have to wonder what the hell the Blues plan is at wing.
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@brodean said in Blues 2026:
With Malachi Wrampling Alec signed it would to see someone with a high workrate like Rob Rush, Lotu Inisi, Sione Havili Talitui or Ekuasi.
Although Suafoa covered lock too. Maybe someone like Dunshea, Tai Cribb or Aisake Vakasiuola who has the size already.
Another big bopper would be good.
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@CtownCowboy said in Highlanders 2026:
Can confirm XTH has signed a two year deal with the Landers . Blues weren’t convincing enough to get him to stay local.
Have taken this from the Highlanders thread regarding Xavier Tito Harris.
Exciting for the Highlanders. Looking forward to watching him play. Under the roof he should really thrive.
As a Blues I'm absolutely livid though. What the actual fuck are the Blues doing at wing? - they've lost Tangitau and XTH on top of Telea (and to a lesser extend Kade Banks) and Rieko won't be there next year (and isn't a wing).
Meanwhile they signed some no name R Paul who didn't play a game this year and a whole bunch of fullbacks (Perofeta, Zarn, Payton Spencer etc).
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All home games listed as "TBC" - with two games set to be played at Mt Smart I guess they'll be waiting for the NRL and A-League draws to come out before the venues are locked in.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2026:
@CtownCowboy said in Highlanders 2026:
Can confirm XTH has signed a two year deal with the Landers . Blues weren’t convincing enough to get him to stay local.
Have taken this from the Highlanders thread regarding Xavier Tito Harris.
Exciting for the Highlanders. Looking forward to watching him play. Under the roof he should really thrive.
As a Blues I'm absolutely livid though. What the actual fuck are the Blues doing at wing? - they've lost Tangitau and XTH on top of Telea (and to a lesser extend Kade Banks) and Rieko won't be there next year (and isn't a wing).
Meanwhile they signed some no name R Paul who didn't play a game this year and a whole bunch of fullbacks (Perofeta, Zarn, Payton Spencer etc).
I thought Zarn looked really good in yesterdays game but Spencer should not be in the squad. I don't see Spencer as a long term prospect. He needs to put on some size and make some serious improvements to his defence - like the rest of the team.
Zarn looks like he has an extra yard of pace which is good to see. He did a lot for Hawkes Bay in setting up their win.
Losing Mark Tele'a is massive. He made so many tries out of nothing for the Blues or set up tries that shouldn't have been scored.
Losing Xavier Tito Harris is I agree unbelievably poor given he's been one of the few bright lights for Auckland.
Segner has gone backwards massively this year. Both he and Clark are part of the defensive issues. Clark has good potential but he needs to seriously up his defensive game. How he is in the Blues squad while a guy like Casey isn't even in the reckoning boggles the mindl.
I'm glad we haven't persisted with Vikena because his lineout has not improved at all and it's honestly a liability.
Northland, Harbour, Auckland and Counties are all in the bottom of the table which isn't good for us because it sets up a loser mindset. Our Blues players are spread too thin.
Harbour not managing a single win is especially sad.
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@brodean said in Blues 2026:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2026:
@CtownCowboy said in Highlanders 2026:
Can confirm XTH has signed a two year deal with the Landers . Blues weren’t convincing enough to get him to stay local.
Have taken this from the Highlanders thread regarding Xavier Tito Harris.
Exciting for the Highlanders. Looking forward to watching him play. Under the roof he should really thrive.
As a Blues I'm absolutely livid though. What the actual fuck are the Blues doing at wing? - they've lost Tangitau and XTH on top of Telea (and to a lesser extend Kade Banks) and Rieko won't be there next year (and isn't a wing).
Meanwhile they signed some no name R Paul who didn't play a game this year and a whole bunch of fullbacks (Perofeta, Zarn, Payton Spencer etc).
I thought Zarn looked really good in yesterdays game but Spencer should not be in the squad. I don't see Spencer as a long term prospect. He needs to put on some size and make some serious improvements to his defence - like the rest of the team.
Zarn looks like he has an extra yard of pace which is good to see. He did a lot for Hawkes Bay in setting up their win.
Losing Mark Tele'a is massive. He made so many tries out of nothing for the Blues or set up tries that shouldn't have been scored.
Losing Xavier Tito Harris is I agree unbelievably poor given he's been one of the few bright lights for Auckland.
Segner has gone backwards massively this year. Both he and Clark are part of the defensive issues. Clark has good potential but he needs to seriously up his defensive game. How he is in the Blues squad while a guy like Casey isn't even in the reckoning boggles the mindl.
I'm glad we haven't persisted with Vikena because his lineout has not improved at all and it's honestly a liability.
Northland, Harbour, Auckland and Counties are all in the bottom of the table which isn't good for us because it sets up a loser mindset. Our Blues players are spread too thin.
Harbour not managing a single win is especially sad.
Funny you said that about Mark Telea..... Right on cue I read this Just as he gets a line break to set up a try for North Harbour.
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@nonpartizan said in Blues 2026:
Funny you said that about Mark Telea..... Right on cue I read this Just as he gets a line break to set up a try for North Harbour.
The fact that he is not in the AB squad while we are losing every other game boggles the mind.
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@brodean said in Blues 2026:
@nonpartizan said in Blues 2026:
Funny you said that about Mark Telea..... Right on cue I read this Just as he gets a line break to set up a try for North Harbour.
The fact that he is not in the AB squad while we are losing every other game boggles the mind.
It's OK. they've got people who are totally committed to NZ Rugby like (checks notes) Leicester Fainga'anuku
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@nzzp said in Blues 2026:
@brodean said in Blues 2026:
@nonpartizan said in Blues 2026:
Funny you said that about Mark Telea..... Right on cue I read this Just as he gets a line break to set up a try for North Harbour.
The fact that he is not in the AB squad while we are losing every other game boggles the mind.
It's OK. they've got people who are totally committed to NZ Rugby like (checks notes) Leicester Fainga'anuku
checks more notes:
Richie Mo' moments Mo'unga. -
@nostrildamus said in Blues 2026:
@nzzp said in Blues 2026:
@brodean said in Blues 2026:
@nonpartizan said in Blues 2026:
Funny you said that about Mark Telea..... Right on cue I read this Just as he gets a line break to set up a try for North Harbour.
The fact that he is not in the AB squad while we are losing every other game boggles the mind.
It's OK. they've got people who are totally committed to NZ Rugby like (checks notes) Leicester Fainga'anuku
checks more notes:
Richie Mo' moments Mo'unga.Yeah he was front of mind, but hadn't really come back yet so left him out
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@cgrant said in Blues 2026:
If the Blues are chasing openside loose forwards, then Brash and Melvin were the in form 7s of the region.
Frankly Melvin is the only guy that should be considered from Harbour. Brash and Melvin have both had better seasons than Segner.
Brash and Church have both had a good second half of the season but they're also both very small, and they need some work on their defence.
Kellow has also had a good season. Not sure about his contract status but he should be considered. Good Auckland boy and has some solid experience under his belt.
Is Choat actually going overseas now? Wasn't sure about his off field dramas?
Wrampling-Alec has been good when available. Strong defender with a good defensive work rate.
I wondered if Dalton might move away from 7 but I think the best starting loose trio at this point would be:
- Wrampling-Alec
- Papali'i
- Hoskins Sotutu
EXCITING HOME SCHEDULE FOR BLUES IN 2026 — Blues Rugby
