Blues franchise missing that Taniwha spirit

SURPRISE surprise, The Blues have once again snubbed Northlanders when picking their Super 15 squad for next season. But, no doubt, we are still "part of the team".

Part of the team how though? Beats me, Rene Ranger was flying the Taniwha flag solo this year while last year he was supported by Lachie Munro, Dan Pryor and Cam Goodhue. In 2011 it was Ranger, Munro, Jared Payne and Aaron Bancroft.

The Blues brought a pre-season clash to Whangarei in February where this year's captain Ali Williams said about Ranger: "Rene [Ranger] definitely brings a lot of [Northland culture], he's a big fan of this area and he expresses his thoughts and passion for it, which once again comes through with us when we play."

So, to me that says that now he is gone there is going to be a lack of Northland culture involved with the Blues. But, we are still an important part of the team and province.

It would almost make for a Tui advert: 'Northland, part of The Blues franchise. Yeah right.'

While Pryor and Goodhue were mentioned as having been part of the Blues in recent years, each only have one cap to their name - with Bancroft having none.

There is no doubt that Pryor is quality, he made about 15-20 tackles per game consistently this season, yet he cannot break through to that next level.

If one of our standout, and consistent, performers cannot make it then who can?

Pryor's spot has seemingly been filled by Auckland loosie Joe Edwards. I would say the biggest advantage Edwards has over Pryor is he plays for Auckland, therefore meaning he must be better.

While I like the Blues and will continue to support them I am disappointed. We are meant to be part of the franchise yet struggle to get players in.

When Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Counties Manukau, Hawkes Bay, Wellington, Waikato and Otago all have players represented in 'our' franchise it makes me question whether affiliation to a franchise even matters.

Using Pryor and the loose forwards as an example, Hawkes Bay's Brendon O'Connor and Taranaki's Kane Barrett have retained their spots from last year. Yes, each of them has already had a year at that level, on-and-off. But, that does not mean the Blues should be selecting players from outside of the region.

Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan said he was excited about a much more balanced squad in 2014 as he heads into his second campaign in charge - along with fellow coaches Sir Graham Henry, Grant Doorey, Mick Byrne and ex-Northland prop Nick White.

"After our first season we had a really long look at what we needed and that was a little bit more experience to complement the excitement of our young guys," Kirwan said.

"We've tried to bring in some of that experience and keep the excitement so the squad is a lot more balanced but we've also kept a lot of youth, especially in the wider training group."

However, credit is due to Tom Murday on his selection into the wider training squad. As much as it is not the top squad, which I believe he too deserves to be part of, you never know what might happen.