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All Blacks duo re-sign with Blues ahead of 2022 Super Rugby Pacific
By Alex McLeod
All Blacks props Karl Tu'inukuafe and Alex Hodgman have re-signed with the Blues ahead of the inaugural 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
Tu'inukuafe will stay on board with the Auckland-based franchise through until the end of 2022, while Hodgman has inked a two-year contract extension.
Retaining the services of the All Blacks duo ensures the Blues will be equipped with one of the strongest propping stocks in the competition.
In addition to Tu'inukuafe and Hodgman, the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman champions also have All Blacks pair Ofa Tuungafasi and Nepo Laulala in their ranks, as well as Maori All Blacks representative Marcel Renata.
A member of the current All Blacks squad, Tu'inukuafe has been part of the Blues set-up since 2019 after making his Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs as an injury replacement the year beforehand.
That same year, he was a surprise call-up to the All Blacks squad for the 2018 mid-year test series against France, again as an injury replacement, and has gone on to play 23 tests for New Zealand since then.
Hodgman, meanwhile, is a veteran of the Kiwi rugby scene, having made his provincial debut for Canterbury in 2014 and his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders a year later.
The former New Zealand and Fiji U20 representative transferred to the Blues in 2017 and Auckland in 2019, and made his All Blacks debut last year on the back of a standout Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign.
Despite his four test appearances in 2020, Hodgman wasn't included in this year's All Blacks squad, but remains a contender for future selection at international level.
Blues head coach Leon MacDonald said the duo are crucial to his side's game plan and is excited about what they can offer as they look to secure back-to-back titles next year.
“We are blessed to have a group of quality, hard-working props who are the cornerstone of our set-piece. In turn this is fundamental to our ability to develop front-foot possession for our running weapons wider out,” he said.
“They are a hard-working group on the grass and in the gym who challenge each other and learn from one another.”
The recommitment of both Tu'inukuafe and Hodgman to the Blues will also be pleasing for All Blacks boss Ian Foster as their contract extensions provides him with depth leading into the 2023 World Cup in France.
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Latest Comments
The difference between Fassi and Le Roux?
Almost 100 tests. Fassi is growing from test to test and is already world class. It’s going to be difficult for Damian Willemse to usurp Fassi at 15 and may find himself destined as the utility back on the bomb squad.
South Africans love hating on their fullback. A proud tradition since Percy Montgomery (before he won us a World Cup). So I don’t pay much mind to the noise that follows anyone who puts on the 15 jersey for SA.
15 is a high risk, low reward position. You don’t dare drop a high ball, certainly don’t shank a kick into the stands. In fact if you’re not kicking 60m torpedoes into the opposition corners - stay at home.
And miss tackles? After everyone else on the team has let a break through - best you not miss!
Only Andre Joubert strikes me as a fullback that has been better than Willie. Yet Willie has been widely panned on a regular basis. Irritating.
Fassi is great. And I’m sure he’s learning a lot from Willie.
Go to commentsNo, Penney's win rate as a Super Rugby coach BEFORE he was given a 2 year contract here, was 23%. He came in with a very poor success rate at SR level.
This loser vibe was borne out over the SR season where we won only 4 games while losing 10. Finishing 9th in a 12 team competition & missing a QF spot was next level DOWN.
There's zero evidence that suggests we will win 10 games (70%) as you predict. I understand there may be new assistant coaches coming on board. At this stage, we can only hope for the best.
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