Blues 2026
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With Reon Paul off contract there is effectively 2 wing spots open. Paul, Vai, Banks and Tito Harris maybe in contention . Even Harlyn Saunoa if they want a real punt on youth (more likely in academy group). Tito-Harris and Banks would be my choice.
The fact they are naming two together suggests maybe its the Vai brothers. (or maybe the Bason brothers, just to upset those Canes fans!)
Otherwise my guess for today would Slater or players who trained with them this year likke Tupaea, Cook, Simpson. -
What about James Arscott?
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I know a few people on here rate Wrampling highly. He's had a lot injury problems hasn't he?
@Duluth injuries and stuck behind a lot of talent in the chiefs loosefowards, great pick up from the blues
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That's awesome. Happy with those two
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He has the talent to push for a starting spot at 6
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Possible replacement fir Sotutu if he leaves?
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Possible replacement fir Sotutu if he leaves?
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2025:
https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/blues-sign-rising-talent-malachi-wrampling
Interesting signing. To me, it feels a bit like ‘back to the future’ for the Blues, as the player Wrampling reminds me most of is a young Akira Ioane. Wrampling, like Ioane in 2016, is an athletic back-rower who does most of his attacking damage out wide using his pace and power, while both are further characterized by their upper-body strength in contact (holding opponents up in defence; bumping off low tacklers on attack). Finally, like Ioane in his early twenties, Wrampling is also quite raw at the breakdown, with both susceptible to cutting corners at the ruck and getting penalized for it.
With all this in mind, it’ll be interesting to see whether the Blues view Wrampling as a blindside or a number 8 in the long-term (I'm sure he'll play in both positions early in his Blues career). Personally, I always thought Ioane should’ve stayed at the back of the scrum rather than move to 6. He looked to me most at home as an 8, ideally in combination with two high work-rate flankers. I’d prefer to see Wrampling developed in the same position, with Sotutu most likely moving on. With both Papali’i and Segner also in the squad, I think all the necessary parts are there to form a potent loose forward trio.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2025:
https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/blues-sign-rising-talent-malachi-wrampling
Interesting signing. To me, it feels a bit like ‘back to the future’ for the Blues, as the player Wrampling reminds me most of is a young Akira Ioane. Wrampling, like Ioane in 2016, is an athletic back-rower who does most of his attacking damage out wide using his pace and power, while both are further characterized by their upper-body strength in contact (holding opponents up in defence; bumping off low tacklers on attack). Finally, like Ioane in his early twenties, Wrampling is also quite raw at the breakdown, with both susceptible to cutting corners at the ruck and getting penalized for it.
With all this in mind, it’ll be interesting to see whether the Blues view Wrampling as a blindside or a number 8 in the long-term (I'm sure he'll play in both positions early in his Blues career). Personally, I always thought Ioane should’ve stayed at the back of the scrum rather than move to 6. He looked to me most at home as an 8, ideally in combination with two high work-rate flankers. I’d prefer to see Wrampling developed in the same position, with Sotutu most likely moving on. With both Papali’i and Segner also in the squad, I think all the necessary parts are there to form a potent loose forward trio.
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@Mauss i don't see all the hype about segner, average super ruby player. wouldn't be surprised if he gets moved on in a year or 2
@whatsupdude1234 said in Blues 2025:
@Mauss i don't see all the hype about segner, average super ruby player. wouldn't be surprised if he gets moved on in a year or 2
I don't necessarily disagree. At the moment, he's a good glue guy (the added lineout game this year was a nice touch) but he often still looks too light in contact.
But for now, I do think he can do a job, although I would switch Segner to openside and Papali'i to the blind.
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No Suafoa and no Choat next year. So there will be another loosie to add. I assume it will be someone who can play 7
Maybe that will be Hainsworth-Fa'aofo?
That would mean the Blues have four established players:
Papali'i, Sotutu, Christie & SegnerAnd a trio of guys from the 2023 NZ u20's
Hainsworth-Fa'aofo, Wrampling, Clark
