Coaches

Gordon Hunter, Frank Oliver

Manager

John Kirwan

Captain

Robin Brooke

Player of the Year

Robin Brooke

Identifiers dropped from NZ Clubs 

The regional identifiers were dropped from all New Zealand clubs in 2000, leaving the teams identified as the Blues, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Crusaders and Highlanders. 

Hunter and Oliver take over 

With Gordon Hunter and Frank Oliver taking the reigns in 2000, the Blues proved more than capable. They claimed the scalp of finalists the Brumbies 18-15 in the opening round of the season and maintained their unbeaten run over the Hurricanes, grinding out a 25-14 win in the capital.  

But in a competition that was so close, the Blues could ill afford two home losses to the Chiefs (25-32) and the Stormers (18-39). It left the team with a task that proved to be beyond them on the road. Three consecutive wins over the Highlanders, Bulls and Sharks gave Blues fans hope, but losses to the Cats and Reds in the final weeks dashed any chances the Blues had of making the semi-finals. They finished sixth, just two points outside the top four.