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Blues lock in futures of seven players in re-signing spree

Tom Robinson. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The Blues have secured the futures of seven of their players in a re-signing spree, the Auckland-based Super Rugby franchise have announced.

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Headlining the septuple of re-signings is star rookie Tom Robinson, who has signed on with the club until 2021 after captivating many onlookers with his standout performances at blindside flanker so far this season.

Calls for him to earn selection as a bolter to New Zealand’s World Cup squad later this year appear to have fallen on deaf ears as he wasn’t included in the All Blacks‘ 41-man ‘foundation day’ squad to be held in Auckland next Monday, but there remains more than half a Super Rugby campaign for Robinson to state his case to selectors.

Franchise stalwart and former captain James Parsons has also signed on until at least the 2021 season, as has promising midfielder TJ Faiane, young prop Sione Mafileo, and first-five duo Otere Black and Stephen Perofeta.

20-year-old wing Caleb Clarke, who starred at last year’s Brisbane 10s tournament and is the son of ex-All Black Eroni, has also committed himself to the side until 2022.

“This is a core group of key players,” said Blues high performance manager Tony Hanks.

“Five of them are born and bred in our region and have come through our system. They have been committed to the Blues since they were age-group players.

“The commitment of this core group, along with the recent extensions of Patrick Tuipulotu and Dalton Papali’i, is a significant statement to the commitment, motivation and ambition of our current group.”

The Blues are enjoying one of their most successful season in recent times, currently lying in 5th place as they chase their first play-offs appearance since 2011.

Sitting on four consecutive wins over the Sunwolves, Highlanders, Stormers and Waratahs, the Leon MacDonald-coached side will face the resurgent Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday as the look to push for a top four spot.

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Nickers 35 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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