PROPPING PAIR EXTEND STAY

Proven front-rowers Alex Hodgman and Karl Tu’inukuafe will continue to help power the Blues pack after extending their contracts.

This powerful pair form a formidable group of international props at the Blues that includes Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tuungafasi and Marcel Renata.

Hodgman, who made four appearances for the All Blacks in 2020 before being side-lined for much of his injured-hit 2021 season. The 28-year-old has already achieved 50 Super Rugby games, 42 of them for the Blues, although his super debut came in 2014 for the Crusaders going up against the Blues.

The Auckland-raised prop will extend his stay at the Blues until the end of the 2023 season.

Joining him is Tu’inukuafe, currently on the Northern Tour with the All Blacks. The North Harbour player returned home in 2019 to join the Blues after the 2018 season with the Chiefs.

The 27-year-old, who has amassed 49 Super games including 33 for the Blues, played in all 14 matches in 2021. The former Wesley College player has achieved 23 caps for the All Blacks after his meteoric rise, with his debut against Argentina in the 2018 Rugby Championship.

The popular prop has extended his time at the Blues until the end of the 2022 season.

“We are blessed to have a group of quality, hard-working props who are the cornerstone of our set-piece. In turn this is fundamental to our ability to develop front-foot possession for our running weapons wider out,” said Blues coach, Leon MacDonald.

“They are a hard-working group on the grass and in the gym who challenge each other and learn from one another.”