Alby Mathewson is heading to warmer weather across the Tasman and will play his Super Rugby season for the Western Force next year.

Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan today confirmed his new coaching team. Sir Graham Henry, Mick Byrne and Grant Doorey are to join the Blues for the coming season.

Auckland’s Eden Park has all but sold out for next weekend’s much-anticipated Bledisloe Cup and Investec Rugby Championship Test match between the All Blacks and Australia.

Four Blues players have been named in the All Blacks team to play Australia in the opening Investec Rugby Championship match at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, on Saturday.

With the All Blacks squad now named for the Investec Rugby Championship, it’s a timely reminder for rugby fans to snap up the remaining tickets for the Eden Park Test on Saturday August 25.

Auckland and Blues prop Charlie Faumuina is the only new face named in the 28-man All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship named today.

Six Blues players have been named to attend an All Blacks wider training group ahead of the Investec Super Rugby Championship.

Highlanders first five-eighths Chris Noakes will play for the Blues in the next Super Rugby season.

Benson Stanley, one of Auckland Rugby and the Blues’ favourite sons, departed for France earlier today to join Top 14 club ASM Clermont Auvergne for two years.

New Zealand rugby fans relish Trans-Tasman encounters and ticket sales to the first home Test match in the Investec Rugby Championship is proving no exception