Tony Woodcock, James Parsons and Charlie Faumuina were named to start in Friday’s game, with record-setting hooker Keven Mealamu to come off the bench.

It was a full day of competition on Saturday when 16 high schools gathered for an exciting 10s tournament hosted by Westie Pies and the Blues

The Blues A XV team to face the visiting Argentinian Pampas this Friday has been announced.

Mealamu has been named in the starting line-up to meet the Lions from South Africa which will be his 163rd appearance in Super Rugby.

Explosive attacking back Rene Ranger is to return to the Blues next season and will be available to play for North Harbour in the ITM Cup this year.

The Blues A XV will open an exciting weekend of rugby this coming Friday when they take on the visiting Argentinian Pampas XV at Pakuranga Rugby Football Club.

The Blues team was defeated by the Cheetahs in a nail-biting 25-24 finish in Bloemfontein. Read more here.

All Blacks Charlie Faumuina and Patrick Tuipulotu will make their first starts of the season for the Blues against the Cheetahs at Bloemfontein on Saturday morning

New Zealand Rugby has congratulated Blues captain Jerome Kaino who will bring up his century of Super Rugby games against the Cheetahs in South Africa this week.

The Blues U20 side faced a strong Hurricanes side in Taupo earlier this afternoon. The side fell 13-38 to the Hurricanes, but can take plenty of positives according to coaches.