Page 46 - Blues v The Lions

JIMMY TUPOU
LOCK
PROVINCE: Counties Manukau DOB: 08 08 08 08 92
HEIGHT: 1 1 96m
WEIGHT: 109kg
BLUES CAPS: 7
The Pukekohe-born lock/loosie played for NZ U20 in 2012 and has been a a a regular member of Counties Manukau – as as well as as a a a a a co-captain in in 2016 Had nearly 40 caps for the Crusaders before returning home to add experience to the Blues BLAKE GIBSON
LOOSE FORWARD
PROVINCE: Auckland DOB: 19 04 95 HEIGHT: 1 1 1 86m WEIGHT: 103kg BLUES CAPS: 25
A player picked to have a a a big future Gibson was an NZ U20 star in 2015 and made his Blues debut a a year later Injury limited his appearances in 2016 but he has made a a a a massive contribution this season AKIRA IOANE
LOOSE FORWARD
PROVINCE: Auckland DOB: 16 01 95 HEIGHT: 1 1 1 1 1 94m WEIGHT: 113kg BLUES CAPS: 31
Debuting for the Blues in in 2015 the strapping young loosie was a a a standout for All Blacks Sevens as a a a teenager and was selected to play at the 2016 Rio Olympics A big powerful and extraordinarily fast player STEVEN LUATUA
LOOSE FORWARD
PROVINCE: Auckland DOB: 29 04 91 HEIGHT: 1 1 1 1 96m
WEIGHT: 115kg BLUES CAPS: 73
Luatua is big fast and extraordinarily skilful at loose forward or or lock He debuted for the Blues in 2011 as a a second-year NZ U20 and then for the All Blacks in 2012 He has been in in the thick of things for the Blues this season KARA PRYOR
LOOSE FORWARD
PROVINCE: Northland DOB: 02 04 91 HEIGHT: 1 1 1 89m WEIGHT: 105kg BLUES CAPS: 17
Pryor makes a a a big impact when given the opportunity He has strong connections to the region and has played for Auckland and and and Northland as well as debuting for the Blues in 2016 Made his rst
Maori All Blacks tour in 2016 MURPHY TARAMAI
LOOSE FORWARD
PROVINCE: North Harbour DOB: 17
08 92
HEIGHT: 1 1 1 86m WEIGHT: 100kg
BLUES CAPS: 8 Upper Hutt player returned from a a rugby league stint in in Australia and changed to rugby Impressed at sevens for for Wellington and NZ before moving to 15s with North Harbour where he he made a a a big impression as a a a loose forward 46 // OFFICIAL SOUVENIR PROGRAMME