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Blues confirm new captains for 2019
By Online Editors
The Blues coaching group, led by new head coach Leon MacDonald, have confirmed shared captaincy for the upcoming 2019 season.
Co-Captains Blake Gibson and Patrick Tuipulotu will share the role of leading the Blues team for the upcoming Investec Super Rugby season.
The pair have proven captaincy experience with Auckland in the Mitre 10 Cup, having recently led the province to a Premiership crown in 2018.
MacDonald sees value in having the captaincy shared by two players with proven leadership success and who the club holds in high regard.
“It is a real benefit to have two players of this calibre who are from our region and are so committed to the club and the people we represent,” said MacDonald.
“Blake and Patrick, together with all our 2019 squad and management group, are hungry for success and these two will get the team following them both on and off the field.”
23-year-old Gibson - a former NZ U20s standout - is entering his fourth season with the team after making his debut in 2015.
Tuipulotu made his Blues debut against the Highlanders in 2014 and has gone on to play 53 times for the club. At just 25 years old, Patrick is a senior Blues player and was one of the form players on the recent All Blacks end of year tour.
“Both Blake and Patrick are hungry to lead the Blues to success in 2019 and we are excited by the strong values, skills and experience they bring to the group,” said MacDonald.
Patrick and his fellow All Blacks team members are currently on leave following the Northern Tour whilst the rest of the 2019 Blues squad are into their second week of preseason training.
The Blues open the 2019 Super Rugby season against the Crusaders at Eden Park on Saturday 16 February.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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