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Two-time Super Rugby champion Ricky Riccitelli confirms Blues departure
By Ned Lester
Blues hooker Ricky Riccitelli is set to part ways with his Auckland club at the end of 2025, having opted to take up an opportunity to play in France.
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The two-time Super Rugby champion is coming off a career-best season as a key contributor to the Blues’ 2024 title run, although that campaign ended with him missing selection for both the All Blacks and All Blacks XV.
National selectors instead looked to the youth of Crusaders prospect George Bell when injury struck Samisoni Taukei’aho, opening the door for new blood in 2024. Rumours of a departure for Riccitelli followed, and it is unclear if they played a role in the hooker’s All Blacks XV omission.
The 30-year-old talent began his Super Rugby career with a title in Wellington, joining the Hurricanes in time to see Dane Coles lift the trophy in 2016.
Another title bookends his stellar New Zealand career, with a 2022 move to Auckland proving profitable as the Durban-born front-rower emerged from under the shadow of the Hurricanes’ All Blacks hookers in Coles and Asafo Aumua.
“Ricky is the type of player every team needs. He’s hard-working, resilient and a true professional as a leader within our forward group,” Blues GM of Rugby Murray Williams said.
“While we’re sad to see him go, he leaves with our support and gratitude for the contribution he’s made to the Blues.”
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The Blues’ media release did not specify which club Riccitelli had signed with, but reports out of France late last year suggested Montpellier were to be the recipients of his talent.
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From all the reports about French rugby I think he should thrive and really enjoy the environment. A great servant but hopefully he’s still got a lot of his best rugby years ahead of him.
After being snubbed for the ABs XV for someone 3 years older than him, who is smaller and slower than him, who comes off the bench behind him, I’m not surprised. George Bell in the ABs squad ahead of him can be justified on the basis of his age, but being passed over for Eklund must have hurt badly.
Hhmmm I had no idea Kurt was that old, I thought it was actually the opposite, where Ricki would have been the 3 years older.
But the reports were out during last years Super Rugby season that he had chosen to leave (and I at least thought Kurt was playing better then too, very different types though).
Ripped off last year , Ricky. Go
hard in France, keep that jersey locked down so they don’t develop their own players haha
100% player who does the basics well and scores plenty of No 2 tries! Bell may have potential, but he didn’t consistently nail basic skills last year and only reinforced the perceived ‘Saders bias in selection. All the best Ricky.
Bell was picked solely to blood some a new, younger player. Riccitelli was never getting in with the amount of talented older heads already in the selection frame.