Ticket sales to the first All Black test against the Irish in the Steinlager Series at Eden Park have just hit the 40,000 mark.

Blues loose forward Steven Luatua has been suspended for three weeks following a dangerous tackle in Saturday’s 34-41 loss to the Chiefs, but he will not miss any Super Rugby.

Seven Blues players have been named in the North team for the June 10 encounter with the South team.

The Blues came agonisingly close to turning the tables on their local rivals the Chiefs tonight before falling short 34-41 at North Harbour Stadium.

He’s been stranded on 49 caps for the last five weeks but Rudi Wulf will finally run out in front of the North Harbour faithful to play his 50th game for the Blues tomorrow night.

Rudi Wulf and Rene Ranger will make a timely return from injury to face the table-topping Chiefs at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday night (kick-off 7.35pm).

Check out the Blues training and meet your favourite players this Thursday at North Harbour Stadium, Albany.

There are only 10,000 tickets remaining for the All Blacks v Ireland Steinlager Series Test match at Eden Park on Saturday 9 June.

The Blues rolled out a new-look team but unfortunately it was the same old result as they were defeated 27-20 by the Highlanders at Eden Park tonight.

The first thing that hits you when you meet Blues wing David Raikuna is his beaming, infectious smile that can light up any room.

Ali Williams looks set to play his 100th Super Rugby game off the bench after he and fellow All Blacks Piri Weepu and Ma’a Nonu were relegated to the reserves for Saturday’s match against the Highlanders at Eden Park.

The Blues’ miserable season hit rock bottom on Saturday night as they were thrashed 59-12 by the Crusaders in Christchurch.