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Blues reveal new captain for 2018
By Online Editors
The Blues franchise has today revealed Augustine Pulu as the new captain for the 2018 Super Rugby season.
"It's an honour to lead a club like the Blues. We have a good bunch of guys returning and some exciting new players coming in," said Pulu. "With the help of the leadership group, I want to mould them into a strong team.
"I think we have made real progress in my time here and hope I can do my job as a player and as a captain for the Blues.
"We have to work so hard every day, on and off the field. I believe we can win the Super Rugby title – that's my goal for the team."
Pulu will head the Blues leadership group which includes previous captains Jerome Kaino and last season's captain James Parsons.
"Both James and Jerome are sidelined for some time from surgeries and I wanted our captain to take the reins on the paddock from day one of training," reasoned coach Tana Umaga.
"Of course both James and Jerome will continue to play invaluable leadership roles in this team and will be key contributors in all aspects.
"Augie has proven captaincy experience in the Mitre-10 Cup and will add a fresh spark to the team."
Augustine Pulu has proven to push the boundaries of innovation this year, ripping off the goal post pads to ensure the opposition would not be able to score at the base of them.
The Blues may benefit from his left-field thinking as captain after the side finished ninth last year. The Auckland-based franchise hasn't made the playoffs since 2011.
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Latest Comments
Yet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
Go to commentsIt's the same criticism of Dmac and Mo'unga as well. Sadly the way the game has been heading recently it's the only way to break down a defence, and a player of Lawrences nature would have a very limited chance at doing that because he's too one dimensional.
Noah Lolesio is your sort of player and that worked OK, but only because his team is far more creative than Englands for example. The highly organized Irish attack was also another that didn't require much from the 10, but that is now changing with Prendergast who is in that league mold like the most new age 10's.
So it is in fact your two which would require even more change to make the most of than Marcus Smith.
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