The nib Blues are targeting third spot in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki when they face Hurricanes Poua at FMG Stadium in Hamilton at 11:35am. The match forms part of the Aupiki finals weekend with the nib Blues determined to finish the competition on a winning note. Head Coach, Willie Walker, has shown faith in the team who went close against Matatū last weekend naming an unchanged starting XV to face the Poua. “We’ve remained fairly consistent with selection throughout this competition,” said Walker. “I think the tweaks we made in the backline worked well for us last weekend - Krysten showed her cl ..read more

Expect a carnival atmosphere at Eden Park on Sunday afternoon, with Harry Plummer playing Blues ringleader, as they host the Western Force at 3:35pm. Plummer takes the captaincy for Sunday’s clash with free carnival rides and circus games as part of this weekend’s entertainment on offer for families at Eden Park. The Blues will also be taking a collection for the family of former Blues, Auckland and Tonga halfback Taniela Moa who tragically died in December 2021, aged 36. The funds raised will go towards supporting his children’s education and ensuring Taniela’s memory lives on.  Blues H ..read more

A grand final berth awaits the two winners of ‘Semi Final Sunday’ at North Harbour Stadium with the nib Blues taking on Matatū at 3:15pm ahead of the Chiefs Manawa v Hurricanes Poua at 6:05pm in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki. After a confidence boosting win in the Capital last weekend, it’s all on the line at home for the nib Blues playing their first-round opponents, Matatū.  nib Blues Head Coach, Willie Walker, said the team are in a great spot heading into their semi final. “The main thing we can take from the Poua win is confidence,” said Walker. “We’ve been building nic ..read more

The Blues are back in front of home fans at Eden Park this weekend for a rematch of last season’s DHL Super Rugby final against the Crusaders on Saturday, March 18 at 7:05pm.  The match doubles as a reunion for the 2003 Blues team and a chance to celebrate 20 years since their own Super Rugby victory against the Crusaders.  Blues Head Coach, Leon MacDonald, has shuffled the forward pack slightly for this weekend’s grudge match, while in the backs Mark Telea is the only change on the right wing after missing last weekend.  The bench features Soane Vikena, Jordan Lay, Taine Plumt ..read more

Something strange is happening around Eden Park this week, with parts of the stadium and surrounding areas turning blue. Kingsland locals and stadium staff are perplexed as to the cause of the ‘blue-ifying’, with grass, gardens, stadium seats and statues around the area all with a blue hue. Eden Park CEO, Nick Sautner, who was seen out early this morning checking on the Michael Jones statue, feels he may have the answer. “There’s only one feasible explanation,” said Sautner. “The Blues host the Crusaders this weekend at Eden Park in a rematch of last year’s thrilling final. This is the stadiu ..read more

It’s a Capital city showdown this weekend in Wellington as the Blues travel to Sky Stadium to take on the Hurricanes at 7:05pm on Saturday night. Blues coach Leon Macdonald has placed faith in those who narrowly lost to the ACT Brumbies in Melbourne last weekend with AJ Lam replacing Mark Telea on the right wing as the only change to the starting XV. “Mark copped a wee head knock last weekend, so he’ll sit this one out, but it’s great to have talent like AJ waiting in the wings to replace him,” MacDonald said. “It’s early in the competition and we know we weren’t at our best against a good Br ..read more

DHL Super Rugby Pacific hits Melbourne this weekend with the Blues gearing up to take on the Brumbies on Sunday, March 5 at AAMI Park in the penultimate game of Super Round which sees all teams converge on Melbourne for a festival weekend of rugby. Despite being played in Australia, the game is considered a home game for the Blues, who are looking to build on their impressive win over the Highlanders last week.  However, the team will be without the services of Akira Ioane, who suffered a knee injury last Saturday and will be spending a period on the sideline. The starting backline that ..read more

A local derby awaits the nib Blues women this weekend as they prepare to take on Chiefs Manawa on Saturday, March 4 at 2:05pm at North Harbour Stadium in the second round of Sky Super Rugby Aupiki. The nib Blues will be looking to build on a spirited performance against Matatū where they ran in three second half tries before coming up just short in the season opener. nib Blues Head Coach, Willie Walker, said he was impressed with the fight his team showed in Dunedin. “We’ve talked as a group about our slow start and will looking to rectify that this weekend,” said Walker. “There were some rea ..read more

Blues prop, Nepo Laulala is poised to bring up 100 Super Rugby games this weekend with his side   set to face the Highlanders in the opening game of the DHL Super Rugby Pacific 2023 season on Saturday, February 25, at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. Laulala, who has previously played for the Crusaders and Chiefs, will be eager to make his milestone game a memorable one with Blues Coach Leon MacDonald appreciative of his burly prop’s contribution to the Blues set-up. “Nepo’s a quiet achiever and someone who speaks with his actions,” said MacDonald. “He’s a rock in our pack and c ..read more

The nib Blues women's side are gearing up for an exciting start to the SKY Super Rugby Aupiki season as they prepare to take on Matatū at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday at 4:45pm. After a disrupted season last year, the team are eagerly anticipating a chance to showcase the Aupiki-style of rugby to fans across the country.  Before talking rugby, nib Blues Head Coach, Willie Walker, wanted to acknowledge team member Krysten Cottrell, a Hawkes Bay native, who was caught up in the recent destructive weather brought by Cyclone Gabrielle. “Krysten’s part of our whānau and it was ..read more