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Hi,
I have my way to put blocks in new positions on theme too.
In my way, you can create new areas of block through the admin area of xoops.
After create the new areas it's enough to go to blocks admin and set blocks to the new areas.
In the theme include the loop to get blocks in your position and voilá
If will be interest of you, below is a link for download of XOOPS core v2016 of with mine hack.
http://www.xoops.net.br/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?cid=4&lid=9Thanks
TheRplima