A version of this profile was first published in the Blues v Brumbies match programme. Rai Valley, population 100, is a small locality, halfway between Nelson and Blenheim at the top end of the South Island. The township boasts a café, pub, rural shop and a trucking company. There once was a cheese factory, but that […]

A version of this profile was first published in the Blues v Hurricanes match programme. Male Sa’u has played out the typical professional rugby narrative in reverse. He left New Zealand early to pursue rugby in Japan, before returning to his roots with Super Rugby. The Otara-boy developed his craft at Tangaroa College, a school […]

There’s an old saying that sport is 10% physical and 90% mental.  You’ll be forgiven for doubting the accuracy of this quote, especially considering the physical demands on elite level rugby players. The Blues take the saying seriously and in 2015 introduced a new coach to the squad. Her name is Kylie Wilson and she’s […]

A version of this story was first published in the Blues v Waratahs match programme. Pictured is a girls’ team from Southern Cross Campus, supplied by Southern Cross. As women’s rugby gains international prominence with the inclusion of Sevens at the Olympic Games, and our New Zealand womens’ silver medal in Rio, the profile of the […]

A version of this story was first published in the Blues v Waratahs match programme. It was 14 years before Ofa Tu’ungafasi knew who the All Blacks were. 10 years on, he became All Black #1150. Ofa was born in the village of Kanolupolu on the main island of Tonga, where most rugby boys dreamt […]

James Parsons only returned to the All Black environment this week, providing injury cover ahead of game two of the Bledisloe Cup, and already he’s been given a spot on the side to play Australia. The 2016 Blues captain and hooker will be on the bench alongside fellow Blues prop Charlie Faumuina, while flanker Jerome […]

Jerome Kaino is already the most capped blindside flanker in All Black history and on Saturday, when the All Blacks take on the Wallabies in the opening Bledisloe Cup match, he’ll start in his 70th test match. The All Blacks announced the squad early Thursday morning, with the team already based in Sydney ahead of […]