Blues prop Charlie Faumuina has been ruled out of Friday night’s local derby against the Chiefs with a medial ligament strain.

While the Blues v Crusaders match was a tense, close encounter the same could not be said when their development teams met, the Blues Development securing a comprehensive 51-7 victory over the Crusader Knights.

World Cup winning second five-eighths Ma’a Nonu made a surprise appearance at Eden Park on Friday night. www.theblues.co.nz caught up with him to find out about his experience in Japan and what he’s expecting in his first season with the Blues

Blues head coach Pat Lam conceded little errors, ball security and indiscipline at crucial stages of the match cost his side an invaluable victory against the Crusaders at Eden Park on Friday night.

One fingertip. That’s all that came between the Blues and a famous victory at Eden Park on Friday night as the Crusaders held on to win 19-18 in an enthralling season opener.

Lying on an operating table in Los Angeles having a 25mm screw inserted into his spine to fix a fractured vertebrae, promising youngster Michael Hobbs contemplated that his career as a professional rugby player may well be over.

The euphoria of World Cup glory at Eden Park just four months ago is still in the air, but tonight marks a new beginning as the Blues and Crusaders kick-start Investec Super Rugby 2012.

Blues Development team head coach Jeff Wilson has named an experienced and exciting lineup to face the Crusader Knights on Friday afternoon at Waitemata Rugby Club (kick-off 4.00pm).

It’s fair to say everyone’s really excited the season has finally rolled around. For some of the players it’s been the longest break they’ve had in the last few years.

Michael Hobbs has edged out All Black star Piri Weepu and young gun Gareth Anscombe to start at first five-eighths for the Blues in their season opener against the Crusaders at Eden Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.35pm).

This week we look back to 2003 and highlights of the mercurial Carlos Spencer