Blues 2026
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I’d heard he went for the NPC gig and they landed on Bates lol
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@zedsdeadbaby said in Blues 2026:
I’d heard he went for the NPC gig and they landed on Bates lol
Auckland Rugby (NPC) is a total mess. Needs a clear out
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@zedsdeadbaby said in Blues 2026:
I’d heard he went for the NPC gig and they landed on Bates lol
We've seen enough to know he can't be given the keys to the 09 kingdom.
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Meanwhile, Cotter remains focused on the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific campaign, as they try and repeat that 2024 championship run. He confirmed today that All Blacks Beauden Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu will be missing from the first few rounds, with Barrett on mandatory rest and scheduled to return in round four against the Crusaders.
Tuipulotu is still recovering from a shoulder injury and is expected back by round six.
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This might be from the same or different interview but Cotter seems to be supporting Joseph or Rennie:
https://www.nine.com.au/sport/rugby/news-2025-all-blacks-coach-vern-cotter-interview-jamie-joseph-dave-rennie-new-zealand-updates-20260127-p5nxdq.html -
@Duluth said in Blues 2026:
They did alright casting the net wide last time around. They came very close to agreeing terms with another highly rated coach before restarting the process and getting Cotter.
From what Liam Napier was saying on Rugby Direct, it sounded like that was Dave Rennie.
He (if not AB coach) and Paul Tito are possibilities.
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/podcasts/rugby-direct/rugby-direct-episode-198/
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@Tim said in Blues 2026:
@Duluth said in Blues 2026:
They did alright casting the net wide last time around. They came very close to agreeing terms with another highly rated coach before restarting the process and getting Cotter.
From what Liam Napier was saying on Rugby Direct, it sounded like that was Dave Rennie.
Yeah he had his assistants lined up too
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Tuʻungafasi to play more at tighthead this year? I guess we will see Ben Ake play significant minutes.
While the absence of Barrett and Tuipulotu will be felt, the Blues will be boosted by the return of fellow All Blacks Ofa Tuʻungafasi and Stephen Perofeta.
Tuʻungafasi missed most of last season with a neck injury, last featuring in a defeat to the ACT Brumbies, while Perofeta managed an ongoing calf issue.
Lock Sam Darry, another All Black, also sat out the entire Super campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Cotter said Tuʻungafasi’s return would be significant.
“He’s an older body and working his way back to fitness and game fitness,” Cotter said. ”We’re confident he’ll be ready for the first game. He can play both sides of the scrum and has challenged himself to shift to tighthead to give us what we need there.
“Having a player with his mana around the team is really important.
