Blues hooker Tom McCartney has signed a three year deal with Irish Pro12 side Connacht and will join his former Auckland and Blues coach Pat Lam in Galway at the conclusion of the ITM Cup.

Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan has made seven changes to the starting XV for Friday night’s crunch match with the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium.

If Piri Weepu had his way he’d be out on the field with his Blues teammates taking on the Hurricanes on Friday night.

The Blues have put 1000 tickets up for grabs in a family promotion for the ANZAC day fixture against the Waratahs at Eden Park on April 25 (kick off 5.35pm)

Hawke’s Bay Magpies and Maori All Blacks first five-eighths Ihaia West has been called into the Blues squad to replace the injured Baden Kerr who has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

The Blues continued their disappointing run away from home, succumbing to the Brumbies 26-9 in Canberra tonight.

The Blues Development team secured a comprehensive 36-10 victory over their Chiefs counterparts last night at the Silverdale Rugby Club.

Jerome Kaino will captain a Blues side featuring two changes to the one that defeated the Highlanders last week for Friday night’s clash with the Brumbies in Canberra.

Five Blues players have been named in the starting line up for the Blues Development match against the Chiefs Development this evening.

Saturday’s 30-12 victory over the Highlanders at Eden Park marked the line in the sand for Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan as he looks for his side to build on that ahead of Friday’s clash with the Brumbies in Canberra.