YOUNG GUNS SIGN FOR 2022
While the Blues boast a bevy of men in Black, they are investing significantly in developing tomorrow’s stars.
Props aside, the Blues could muster an exciting team of players just 23 years and younger from their squad for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific competition.
That list includes the likes of All Blacks Caleb Clarke and Hoskins Sotutu, joined by Zarn Sullivan, Mark Telea, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepens, Tanielu Tele’a, Harry Plummer, Sam Darry, Taine Plumtree and Soane Vikena. Added to that list is last year’s replacement loose forward, Adrian Choat, now with a fulltime contract, and the recently signed Anton Segner.
The Blues have also contracted three young prospects for 2022 in midfielder Corey Evans, 20, halfback Taufa Funaki, 21, and lock/loosie Cameron Suafoa, 23.
Evans, originally from Northland, came through the Auckland schools and academy programmes and the Blues development system. He was selected for the New Zealand Schools and the New Zealand Under-20s teams, and was the 2021 Blues Development Player of the Year.
Funaki, a product of Sacred Heart College, was selected for New Zealand Schools in 2017 and 2018 and New Zealand Under-20s. The strong-running halfback, part of the Blues development programme, has been signed to replace Jonathan Ruru, who has been granted an early release to join a club in France.
Suafoa is another product of the Blues pathway programme, selected for New Zealand Schools during his time at St Peters College, although injury thwarted his opportunity to play for NZ Under-20. The 1.96m 116kg loose forward, who can play lock, turned out for Auckland in 2019 before moving to Tasman in 2020 and returned to North Harbour this year.
“The school coaches, our Provincial Union academies and our Blues Development programme under Shane King, continue to do a good job identifying and nurturing our talent,” said Head Coach Leon MacDonald.
“We do not always have enough room to bring everyone on board at the Blues but Corey, Taufa and Cameron have impressed us.
“Corey was outstanding in our Development team and has a big future as a strong and intelligent midfield back. Taufa has real x-factor as a strong-running halfback who has fought back after much of the year off with injury. And Cameron is a big, raw-boned and aggressive young player who has a big presence with ball in hand and in defence.”
Additionally, two other young players return to the Blues fulltime.
Choat, 23, will join the team fulltime in 2022 after coming in as an injury-replacement this year. The 1.90m, 105km Auckland who can play all three loose forward positions, gained international experience as injury cover for Pat Lam’s Bristol Bears. He played for the NZ Under-20s for an injured Dalton Papalii and this year took his chances with the Blues, playing five times including two starts.
Northland’s Tamati Tua will re-join the Blues after being part of the team in 2018. The 23-year-old midfielder played for the New Zealand Under-20s and has 38 games for Northland, coming back after injury issues that have thwarted his progress in the last two years.
“We were really pleased with Adrian when he came in to the team this year. He settled in well both on and off the field. He is a smart and skilful player who earned his start with us on merit,” said MacDonald.
“We have kept an eye on Tamati for some time. He is an intelligent midfielder with excellent all-round skills and with continued physical development, he will be a real asset to us.”
MacDonald said the young group of players coming into the Blues have the opportunity to learn from the coaching team and players like Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane and the experienced forwards.
“As the Blues continue to work hard with our Provincial Unions, we can look to nurture and retain our best young players to ensure both the NPC teams and the Blues can thrive.”