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Breakout Blues star Mark Telea extends contract with club
By Online Editors
Exciting young winger Mark Telea will extend his time at the Blues for at least another two years.
The 23-year-old Super Rugby rookie today confirmed he has re-signed until 2022, following on from No 8 Hoskins Sotutu who announced his two-year extension yesterday.
Telea has produced some eye-catching stats in the initial seven games of Super Rugby – first in defenders beaten, second in clean breaks and metres won.
In the last three games of Super Rugby Aotearoa, he is second in defenders beaten and fifth in metres carried.
“Mark has taken his opportunity with both hands. He works really diligently on his fitness and his skills and we are thrilled with his first season so far,” said Blues coach Leon MacDonald.
“He has enjoyed the platform established by the forwards and given him licence to have a crack. While the stats speak for themselves, it does not show just how hard he works. We are pleased that we can continue to work with him to develop his game in the coming years.”
Telea, who has a South African father and Samoan mother, was a Massey High School product and came through the North Harbour and Blues development system.
“I used to go to watch the Blues with my brothers and now I have the chance to chase my dreams,” Telea said. “Coming through North Harbour and with the Blues A team has made it easy to come here.
“The experience of my debut against the Chiefs, my first time playing in Johannesburg where Dad is from and playing in front of the full house at Eden [Park] were all special.
“For me is it about being the best I can be for the team and I excited to have the opportunity to continue to play for the Blues.”
Telea joins captain Patrick Tuipulotu as the only players to have started in all 10 games this year – seven in Super Rugby and three in the Aotearoa competition.
The Blues expect to announce further playing contract extensions soon.
- Blues Rugby
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Latest Comments
They won’t be rested Ed. Gathie was forced to ditch that practice, by WR, LNR, or whoever, IDK.
It’s very simple and you obviously know this, they do what’s best for the athlete. Galthie is just doing his part in making sure they don’t break, you know, like a team effort.
Just as LNRs teams are.
Bottom lines? The players don’t get a lot of rest as their season is so long, yes, but Galthie can select any player he wants in an International window. You just have to ask yourself does Galthie want to select that player or ensure they are rested? You just need to stop being obtuse, and some French white knight guy, what you say is simply untrue.
Why not just word it properly?
Go to commentsI can see where you are coming from.
The ANZAC myth has been used by sports teams for years. Some to a greater degree e.g. the old Rugby League ANZAC test, some other sports will make passing reference in the advertising or commentary etc.
I don’t think the ANZACs (looking down from heaven) see themselves as sacred cows. I think they would rather see a game of rugby in their honour. What better time to hold a Bledisloe cup match?
ANZAC day is about both remembering the ANZAC’s sacrifice, and their descendants celebrating the freedom we have because of that sacrifice. If a Bledisloe ANZAC test was done in a tasteful way. I see no issue with it.
I don’t think rugby league deserved to host an ANZAC test as rugby league organisations encouraged their players not to go to WWI (Australia didn’t conscript for WWI).
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