Bay of Plenty lock Baden Wardlaw has announced his immediate retirement from rugby because of an historic medical condition. The 29-year-old had realised his lifelong dream when he was named in the Blues team for the upcoming Investec Super Rugby season. However, medical checks showed that he has three fused vertebrae in his neck, and […]

Tevita Mailau faced a baptism of fire in his first match for the Blues against the Bulls in Pretoria in 2009, but being thrust into the cauldron of Loftus Versfeld proved to be the prop’s making as he has went from strength to strength. He performed with distinction for Auckland over the 2009 to 2012 […]

After two years sidelined with knee reconstructions, midfielder TJ Faiane has been honoured as the Blues Most Valuable Player at the annual awards function. Faiane made an outstanding return to Super Rugby this year, starting in all-but the final match of the season, and playing in all 80 minutes in most games. It follows his […]

A former Otago and Highlanders representative, Auckland-born Chris Smylie returned to North Harbour for the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup and played his third season for the Blues in 2011 after making his debut in 2009. Smylie made his New Zealand Maori debut in 2006 and is a former recipient of the NPC Division One […]

Blues pit themselves against Blues when some noted alumni face off in the Top 14 Final in French rugby at a sold-out Stade de France this weekend. George Moala, who played 74 games for the Blues, was the standout player for Clermont Auverge in their semifinal 33-13 win over Lyon.He is joined by 61-cap Blues […]

Peter was a key part of the Blues’ much-vaunted back row, noted for his great work between 2009 and 2015. His younger brother Francis also joined him at the Blues. 

Players on leave, others with or returning from injury, and form have led to six changes to the Blues team to take on the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Friday night. All Blacks Rieko Ioane and co-captain Patrick Tuipulotu will sit out their second stand-down game while fellow international Dalton Papalii makes a welcome return […]

An accomplished second five-eighths, Jamie Helleur played nine games for the Blues in his debut season in 2009. He then moved overseas to play rugby in Portugal before returning to bolster the midfield stocks for Auckland in the 2010 ITM Cup. Helleur also debuted for Samoa in 2010 and previously represented NZ Universities.

Jimmy Gopperth joined the Blues in 2009 after four years with Wellington and the Hurricanes. Jimmy was known as an accomplished first five-eighths and quality goalkicker. He captained North Harbour in the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup, and his leadership skills were an invaluable asset to the Blues. He and Tasesa Lavea jostled for the […]

Buoyed by plenty of positives over the last few weeks, the Blues have named a largely unchanged team for what they hope will be the first in a flourishing final three regular-season games against the Bulls at Eden Park on Friday. Coach Leon MacDonald has retained virtually the same starting line-up that produced an impressive […]