The Blues will host the Chiefs on Friday February 16 at Takapuna Rugby Club - the final pre-season hit out ahead of the 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.

Onewa Domain will host the occasion, scheduled for a family friendly kick-off time of 4pm, with adults tickets just $10 and kids under-14 free.

The Blues will be fresh off their tour to Japan and Head Coach Vern Cotter said the opportunity for an extended pre-season provides the team with more valuable game time ahead of kicking off the new DHL Super Rugby Pacific season against the Fijian Drua in Northland on February 24.

“It will be good to get home and continue working on our combinations, game structures and Blues brand of rugby. We need to hit the ground running for Round One against the Drua in Whangārei and this game is crucial in our preparation for that first match.” said Cotter. 

“Playing at a local rugby club is one of the perks of pre-season – it gives the boys a reminder of where their love of the game stems from and how far they’ve come in their careers to date.”

Meanwhile, Blues lock Laghlan McWhannell, said he is looking forward to locking horns with his former club in the pre-season.

“I can’t wait to jump out there against the Chiefs boys and have a crack! It will be my first opportunity to wear a Blues jersey in New Zealand and I’m looking forward to it,” said McWhannell.  

“It’s been a really smooth adjustment coming up to the Blues both on and off the field. The boys have been really welcoming; we’ve been putting in the hard yards this pre-season and that’s definitely brought us closer together.”

“The move north has been a good freshen up for me personally, I’m enjoying living up here in Auckland and everything the city has to offer,” he said.  

Takapuna Rugby Football Chairman, Richard Penberthy, said the club were excited to host the Blues and hope the local community will come out and support the event.

“We have a fantastic field in which to play and watch footy, you’re up close and personal with all the action, you hear and feel all the emotion, nothing beats it! ,” said Penberthy. 

“This is a great chance for Club Rugby and Super Rugby to come together – we’re encouraging people to bring the family down and enjoy the sun, rub shoulders with the players and soak up our friendly club environment.” 

Key information:

Date: Friday 16th February 2024

Time: Kick-off 4:00pm, Gates open 3.00pm

Location: Takapuna Rugby Club – Onewa Domain

Tickets (purchased at the gate): Adults $10, Kids under-14 FREE 

Fans on field: Fans will have the opportunity to enter the field post-match and mingle with the players.

Broadcast details: TBC

Pre-season (including Japan tour):

February 3, 2024 (Saturday) - Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath vs Blues, Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium 

February 10, 2024 (Saturday) - Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Blues, Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium

February 16, 2024 (Friday) – Blues vs Chiefs at Takapuna Rugby Club, Takapuna Rugby Club – Onewa Domain, kick off 4pm, Gates open 3pm