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Auckland Blues To Infinity and Beyond

waiopehu oldboy

George Smith (75)
^^^^^^^ sorry Dismal but there's a follow-up article that has NZR wanting John Hart to have a role if not head up the new setup. A polarising figure in NZ rugby even after all these years, I'd have thought. That said there's lots of people who give him at least some of the credit for turning the Warriors around so maybe he's well enough suited these days to a back-office/ governance role. My worry would still be him turning into a Phil Gould-like "Director Of Whatever The Fuck I Wanna Be Director Of, Awright?"
 

zer0

John Thornett (49)
Some other musings/ramblings on governance, admin or whatever.

The Blues really should play more matches in Whangarei. In fact I can't really even remember the last time they played there. Wasn't this year, and pretty sure it wasn't last year either. They hosted the B&I Lions, sure, but that wasn't against the Blues. While this isn't a problem unique to the Blues -- none of the NZ franchises seem to play away from their main grounds these days, with the exception of the Chiefs -- given there seems to be a problem between the Blues and their supporting provinces, it's probably much more important to them than the others. I realise the franchises probably don't often take games away from their main ground for financial reasons, but the Blues should just take the hit to the wallet.

Also Counties is still with the Chiefs, but f*ck that shit. Play a game in Pukekohe as well, and work towards getting them back in the Blues fold.

A name change may also be in order. Being named after a colour was f*cking stupid to start with. Particularly blue with it's links to depression. Though it is rather apt at this point in time. At least the Reds can leverage the Communist theme. The other NZ franchises -- with the exception of the weather pattern -- have identifiable brands that they build their marketing and culture around, the Crusaders in particular. The Blues, on the other hand, are named after a colour and feature a volcano that's possibly not all that recognisable to others in NZ, let alone internationally. Rename them after something like the awesome Haast Eagle, and take a leaf out of the Seahawks (NFL) book vis-à-vis marketing. There may also be a case for bringing back the geographic identifiers, but may not go down well at this stage, at least for the Blues.

EDIT: Also, what's Martin Sneddon up to? Seems to be pretty good at sports administration.
 

zer0

John Thornett (49)
If we're collecting old buggers, then I'd nominate gunning for both Romano and Henry. IIRC Romano is fourth choice at the Crusaders but certainly seems to still be able to do a job at Super Rugby level. Plus he'd provide valuable mentoring for Tuipulotu and, in particular, Scrafton. Henry can be 'technical adviser' for 99% of the team and Nonu's personal headmaster. If Henry doesn't want to travel then that's fine. Even just adopting the setup he currently has with Auckland would make it worth it.
 

KiwiM

Arch Winning (36)
Nonu actually played really well in his last stint with the Blues (2014). He had a very good season.

It was the first stint (2012) where he was rubbish.
 

KiwiM

Arch Winning (36)
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12125206

All Blacks wing Rieko Ioane has agreed a new deal with New Zealand Rugby and it's likely to be announced next week.


World Rugby's breakout player of 2017, and a player considered the best wing in the world, Blues finisher Ioane has been a high-priority signing for the national organisation.

His new deal, which could be for three to four years, will be announced alongside that of his brother, Akira, a loose forward on the cusp of the All Blacks squad. Both men had already committed themselves to staying at the Blues. It is understood Akira has agreed on a shorter deal of perhaps two years.
 

zer0

John Thornett (49)
"It is understood Akira has agreed on a shorter deal of perhaps two years."

I can see it now. Continues to be ignored by Hansen for those two years, but is persuaded by Crusaders NZR boss Steve Tew to sign a one year contract with another franchise for a 'change of scenery'. That franchise is, of course, the Crusaders. Akira plays 10 minutes off the bench for each game of the season but is selected for the All Blacks regardless. In the wake of his long overdue test selection he signs a five year deal at the Crusaders and is fantastic.
 

waiopehu oldboy

George Smith (75)
^^^^^^^^ oil! zer0! how'd you get your hands on that Top Secret Memo? Just remember, you'll see the NZR black attack helicopters before you hear them. Nice knowing you, mate :)
 

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
"It is understood Akira has agreed on a shorter deal of perhaps two years."

I can see it now. Continues to be ignored by Hansen for those two years, but is persuaded by Crusaders NZR boss Steve Tew to sign a one year contract with another franchise for a 'change of scenery'. That franchise is, of course, the Crusaders. Akira plays 10 minutes off the bench for each game of the season but is selected for the All Blacks regardless. In the wake of his long overdue test selection he signs a five year deal at the Crusaders and is fantastic.

geez who is this Akira , I thought for a minute you meant Akira Ioane, oh yeah you did, said he would play for 10 minutes of the bench, should be involved for whole 10 minutes and not disappear for too long!!;)
 

KiwiM

Arch Winning (36)
geez who is this Akira , I thought for a minute you meant Akira Ioane, oh yeah you did, said he would play for 10 minutes of the bench, should be involved for whole 10 minutes and not disappear for too long!!;)


He looked pretty involved last week when Auckland smashed Tasman. Boy had a stormer.
 

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
He looked pretty involved last week when Auckland smashed Tasman. Boy had a stormer.

Yep to be fair he did, was good to see, he just needs to do it more often and you would suspect the ABs would be a realistic goal for him! He certainly has the skills etc!
 

waiopehu oldboy

George Smith (75)
NZR have appointed three new directors: John Hart, Richard Dellabarca (current NZR Board member) & Sam Lotu-Iiga (former Cabinet minister, current NZR Rugby Committee member & very well respected in the PI community).

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...t-heads-board-revamp-to-oversee-blues-revival

As I commented when Hart's involvement was first mooted, he's still a deeply divisive figure in NZ rugby even after all these years but he's widely credited with transforming the Warriors from an off-field shambles into one of the better-run NRL clubs: a low bar, for sure, but it's been a while since there's been any real dramas/ shenanigans.

Don't know too much about the others but I'm assuming Lotu-Iaga is there to help re-connect with the PI community & Dellabarca with the rich end of town.

Also an interesting backgrounder on the Eden Park situation:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/107197665/eden-park--stadium-of-the-future-or-housing-site

I love that there's now both an Eden Park Residents Association & an Eden Park Neighbours Association, its very People's Front of Judea/ Judean People's Front, innit :) Seriously though I don't see how Eden Park won't be medium-density housing & green space inside ten years.
 

Derpus

Nathan Sharpe (72)
Yep to be fair he did, was good to see, he just needs to do it more often and you would suspect the ABs would be a realistic goal for him! He certainly has the skills etc!
Bit weird hes not already in the ABs squad. AB loosies arent that amazing once you get past Cane and Reid.
 
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