WHILE Ma'a Nonu is a big signing for the Blues, I don't really care. I care about who, and how many, out of our 2013 Northland team will make the Super 15 cut when the squads are announced this week. And, failing that, who makes the wider training squad.
Yes, Nonu brings some extra firepower, but I want to know if I'll be a proud Blues supporter knowing my region is represented within the team.
Having said that though, which Taniwha players have put their hands up? One who instantly springs to mind is Dan Pryor. But there is an abundance of quality loose forwards getting through truckloads of work for Harbour and Auckland as well.
Pryor is definitely our most consistent performer and was recognised for that at the recent Northland Rugby Union end-of-year prizegiving. Pryor was awarded the Player of the Year, and Players' Player of the Year.
Outside of Pryor, Jack Ram is another who I felt would be in line for a callup to the wider training squad, at least, if it was not for injury ending his season. Another who I would consider for the wider training group would be Bryce Williams, presuming Tom Murday heads back to Queensland.
While Williams is not your flashy lock-forward, he is solid and showed plenty of heart throughout the season - which is something the Blues need, your good old tough tight-forward. Williams' case is made stronger thanks to the exit of former Northland lock, now Auckland's, Jack Whetton.
Whetton ignored a wider training group place with the Blues to sign a deal with the Brumbies for next year's Super 15 competition. The Blues signed former All Black lock Tom Donnelly to work through the next campaign with Culum Retallick, Liaki Moli and Patrick Tuipulotu all signed with the intention of using Whetton in the wider training group.
In the backs, there were some glimpses of brilliance but I believe they all need another season or two at ITM Cup level.
Awanui's Whiria Meltzer was one who impressed me, with his pace and hard running - even though on the small side - proving exciting. Meltzer would benefit hugely from another year at ITM Cup and then an opportunity to impress at a higher level.
Definites for me would be Derek Carpenter and Dan Hawkins. Carpenter is just so solid, he has been involved with the wider training group before, and deserves to keep going. When Ma'a Nonu decides to turn his back on the Blues again, Carpenter will be there to glue together the backline.
Another who may not make the wider training squad but deserves a mention would be Mid Western loosie Ben Berridge. My brother was an openside flanker and Berridge is as close to him as a player as I have seen in years. People have often spoken of Berridge's talent and in those last few ITM Cup matches we saw how good he can, and will, be.
Another would be Tane Takulua. Having been one of my shining players throughout the club rugby season - along with William Whetton - I thought Takulua showed great promise. He hit a road bump part-way through the ITM Cup but showed plenty of attacking ability, along with a try-scoring knack, on his way back to form. However, going by what we have seen in recent years by the Blues selectors, I won't be holding my breath to see any of them included.