One of the elder statesmen of the team and one of the youngest have extended their stay at the Blues.

Bryce Heem, 32, and Zarn Sullivan, who recently turned 21, have extended their contracts at the club.

Blues coach Leon MacDonald picked up Heem as a fill-in this year, after the original signing – a midfielder from Argentina - was stalled with visa requirements into New Zealand.

Amid the covid outbreak, Heem and his family decided it was time to return home from Europe where he had etched out six impressive years playing for Worcester and Toulon. He had no expectation of playing rugby but reached out to MacDonald out of courtesy, and the timing proved perfect for the former Northland, Auckland, Chiefs and New Zealand Sevens player.

Heem proved an outstanding find for the Blues in 2021, playing mostly on the wing, starting in the last seven games and finishing with nine caps for the season. That included a hat-trick of tries against the Waratahs at Eden Park in the Super Rugby trans-Tasman competition.

His contract has been extended for the 2022 season.

Sullivan has come through the Auckland and Blues development system after a successful collegiate career at Kings College.

The young man with an imposing frame – he stands 1.93m and weighs 100kg - was selected as captain of the Blues Under-20s and also for the New Zealand Under-20s.

Sullivan took his chances with both hands and a hefty left boot when he earned his Super Rugby debut against the Chiefs, scoring a try to cap it off, at fullback. That earned him the start for the trans-Tasman competition all the way through to the final where his deft kicking was a significant feature. He has signed with the Blues until 2024.

Both players have drawn praise from MacDonald.

“Bryce was a tremendous contributor with all of his experience as a successful professional in England and France,” said MacDonald.

“Bryce is a great professional and a great bloke. He not only earned his place in the starting team with some excellent form, but also became an important contributor both on the training field and off the grass, especially with our young backs. 

“One of those was Zarn who took his chance really well. He has all the attributes to be an excellent fullback and a nous for the game far greater than his years.

“It is early days yet for Zarn but if he continues to work hard then he has a big future in the game.

“I am thrilled to have both Bryce and Zarn with us going forward.”