WE’RE READY TO TAKE THE HANDBRAKE OFF

An eclectic mix of young blood and hardened experience form the 38-player Blues squad looking to go back-to-back in DHL Super Rugby Pacific 2025.

Seven players land a full Blues contract for the first time, while one familiar face returns to further bolster the backline.

Over two-thirds of the 2025 Blues squad is made up of players who were developed from within the Blues region.

Four forwards pick up their first full playing contract  – hooker James Mullan, lock Cameron Christie and loose-forward Che Clark. While prop Ben Ake graduates from the Blues wider squad last season to receive his first full contract.

In the backs, utility Reon Paul joins from Bay of Plenty while versatile midfielder Xavi Taele receives a full contract after training with the Blues last pre-season and impressing in the NPC for Auckland. 

Fullback Payton Spencer, son of Blues legend Carlos, comes to the Blues after playing for the All Blacks Sevens side. Spencer is the latest in a growing list of next-generation Blues players, with Caleb Clarke (son of Eroni) and Hoskins Sotutu (son of Waisake) two other current Blues players following in their father’s footsteps at the club. 

Familiar face, Beauden Barrett bolsters the Blues backline, returning to the club after a stint in Japan with Toyota Verblitz.

Bryce Heem is one glaring omission from the class of ’25, a wrist injury ruling him out of the entire DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.

Blues Head Coach, Vern Cotter, is happy to have a large number of the squad returning to Blues HQ. 

“I think we’ll start ahead of where we were last season, we can take the results and experience gained last time round and build on it this year, ” said Cotter.

“I’m looking forward to getting in with everyone, reconnecting and getting back to work. It will be good to get to know the new squad members and see what they’re all about.” 

Cotter has a simple message for those new squad members coming in for pre-season.

“I want enthusiasm and for them to put their hand up,” he said.

“I enjoyed watching NPC this season and seeing the younger guys stepping up. Now it’s their time to come into the Blues and start pushing for spots.”

Cotter noted the pre-season training block ahead of Christmas as a time to build resilience and “get the bodies right” for a gruelling DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.

“We have a very good Head of Athletic Performance in Mark Bennett, he’s a great operator with a lot of experience and I know he’ll be pushing the group along and making sure we build a strong, robust playing group,” said Cotter. 

“It’s part of our Blues DNA - pushing ourselves and staying connected. The pushing is not only physical but mental too, we want to ensure our whole squad is growing to be the best version of themselves.”

Cotter summed up the sentiment around Blues HQ as the club prepares to get stuck into the new DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.

“We’re just about ready to take the handbrake off and get stuck in - a lot of preparation has already been done. As a coaching group we’ve been watching a lot of rugby, keeping an eye on our guys both here and abroad and it’s about time to open the doors and get started.” 

Blues Men’s Squad 2025

Forwards

Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Marcel Renata, Jordan Lay, Joshua Fusitu’a, PJ Sheck, Ben Ake, Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, James Mullan, Laghlan McWhannell, Cameron Christie, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Che Clark

Backs

Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Xavi Taele, Corey Evans, Meihana Grindlay, Zarn Sullivan, Mark Tele’a, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Payton Spencer, Reon Paul, Cole Forbes

Unavailable due to injury: Bryce Heem (wrist)

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