Versatile prop Angus Ta’avao will return home to the Blues for the 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season, signing on with the club through until the end of 2025. 

Ta’avao, who can prop both sides of the scrum, has played 23 Tests for the All Blacks and represented New Zealand at Under 20’s level. He has played his Super Rugby at the Blues, Waratahs and most recently at the Chiefs.

He said a big motivating factor to coming home was based around family and he is looking forward to adding his experience and knowledge to the Blues squad.

“I’m stoked to be back with the Blues,” said Ta’avao.

“Auckland is my home, my family is here and I’m excited to come back to where it all started for me as a professional rugby player.”

Ta’avao will start the 2024 season on 49 Blues caps and said it will be a special moment to achieve the 50-game milestone at the club.

“Funnily enough, when I was choosing my training jersey number, I just added my two kids’ birthdays together and it spat out the number 49 - clearly it’s a number with meaning for 2024!”

The coincidences don’t stop there for the former Chiefs player – he made his Super Rugby debut for the Blues against the Chiefs in 2012 in Hamilton and played his 100th Super Rugby match for the Chiefs against the Blues at Eden Park.

His career has come full circle as he returns to the Blues to share his knowledge from a massive 135 games of Super Rugby.

“I know I can add to the environment and culture at the Blues and want to share my experiences with the younger players.”

“Coming in as a rookie and hearing from experienced players really helped me, so that’s something I want to give back to the club.”

 Ta’avao joins the remainder of the Blues squad for the first day of the pre-season training on November 23.