Emirates Team New Zealand joined the Blues for an early morning training session and grinder challenge at Unitec last week.

Andrew Van der Heijden has been called into the Blues squad to provide cover at lock for their last two remaining games.

Blues lock Filo Paulo will miss the remainder of the Investec Super Rugby season after being suspended for five weeks.

Blues star Tony Woodcock will make his 76th start at prop for the All Blacks (in his 84th Test) on Saturday, putting him third on the all-time world list of most Test match starts in the position.

400 kids from local schools converged upon Sir Edmund Hillary Middle School in Otara on Monday afternoon for the MILO Skills and Drills Day.

Blues loose forward Luke Braid has been handed the captain’s armband for Sunday’s North v South match at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Three Blues players have been named in the All Blacks team to face Ireland at Eden Park on Saturday.

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.