The Blues, who were formally known as the Auckland Blues, are one of New Zealand’s representatives in Super Rugby. Although the side haven’t performed well in recent years, the Blues are still one of the most successful teams in the history of the competition.
Read on to learn even more about the Blues. As well as reading an in-depth history of the side, on this page you can also see the team’s latest results and fixtures.
Blues head coach Leon MacDonald says competing with Moana Pasifika for players has become "an issue" due to the depletion of New Zealand's player pool.
A former All Black has outlined which off-season signings could be the most important for Super Rugby Pacific sides ahead of the 2022 season.
The Blues, who were formally known as the Auckland Blues, are one of New Zealand’s representatives in Super Rugby. Although the side haven’t performed well in recent years, the Blues are still one of the most successful teams in the history of the competition.
Read on to learn even more about the Blues. As well as reading an in-depth history of the side, on this page you can also see the team’s latest results and fixtures.
Super Rugby 
Super Rugby Aotearoa 
Super Rugby Trans Tasman Super Rugby 
Super Rugby Super Rugby Aotearoa Super Rugby Trans Tasman | Round 7 | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | PD | BP T | BP -7 | BP | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
-  Sharks | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 213 | 153 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
-  Crusaders | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 189 | 105 | 84 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
-  Brumbies | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 208 | 115 | 93 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 23 |
-  Blues | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 192 | 134 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
-  Chiefs | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 194 | 128 | 66 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 |
-  Stormers | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 118 | 94 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
-  Jaguares | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 169 | 135 | 34 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 17 |
-  Hurricanes | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 168 | 135 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
-  Rebels | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 166 | 160 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
-  Reds | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 219 | 176 | 43 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
-  Highlanders | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 91 | 163 | -72 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
-  Bulls | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 115 | 152 | -37 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
-  Waratahs | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 104 | 214 | -110 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
-  Lions | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 109 | 200 | -91 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
-  Sunwolves | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 101 | 292 | -191 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Round 7 |
|---|
| - Sharks |
| - Crusaders |
| - Brumbies |
| - Blues |
| - Chiefs |
| - Stormers |
| - Jaguares |
| - Hurricanes |
| - Rebels |
| - Reds |
| - Highlanders |
| - Bulls |
| - Waratahs |
| - Lions |
| - Sunwolves |
Like New Zealand’s other Super Rugby sides, the Blues were formed in 1996 in order to take part in the newly-created Super 12 competition. Known as the Auckland Blues at the time, they were immediately successful and became established as an elite team. In the first three seasons of the competition, the Auckland Blues made it to the tournament’s grand final. Although they were beaten by the Crusaders in 1998, the Auckland Blues won the first two editions of the tournament, beating the Sharks and the Brumbies.
In 2000, the Auckland Blues formally dropped their ‘Auckland’ prefix and simply became known as the Blues. Although they won the tournament once again in 2003, the team has struggled for consistency since. They’ve only reached the semi-final stage of the competition twice more and since the competition was revamped and became Super Rugby in 2011, they’ve regularly finished in the bottom half of the standings.
Adrian Choat Flanker 7 
Akira Ioane Number 8 
Alex Hodgman Prop 
Ben Nee Nee Lock 
Blake Gibson Flanker 7 
Dalton Papali'i Flanker 7 
Dillon Hunt Flanker 7 
Gerrard Cowley-Tuioti Lock 
Hoskins Sotutu Number 8 
Jacob Pierce Lock 
James Lay Prop 
James Parsons Hooker 
Joshua Goodhue Lock 
Karl Tuinukuafe Prop 
Kurt Eklund Hooker 
Leni Apisai Hooker 
Luteru Tolai Hooker 
Marcel Renata Prop 
Nepo Laulala Prop 
Ofa Tuungafasi Prop 
Patrick Tuipulotu Lock 
Ray Niuia Hooker 
Tom Robinson Lock 
AJ Lam Wing 
Bryce Heem Wing 
Caleb Clarke Wing 
Emoni Narawa Fullback 
Finlay Christie Scrum half 
Harry Plummer Fly half 
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 
Jonathan Ruru Scrum half 
Jone Macilai-Tori 
Mark Telea Fullback 
Neria Fomai Centre 
Otere Black Fly half 
Rieko Ioane Wing 
Sam Darry 
Sam Nock Scrum half 
Soane Vikena 
Stephen Perofeta Fly half 
Taine Plumtree 
Tanielu Tele'a Centre 
Tinoai Faiane Centre 
Zarn Sullivan Over the years, some of world rugby’s greatest stars have played for the Blues. In fact, almost 100 Blues players have been capped internationally by New Zealand. This includes household names such as Sonny Bill Williams, Jonah Lomu and Keven Mealamu.
Today, the Blues squad isn’t as strong as it once was. However, several All Blacks players still regularly play for the Blues, including captain Patrick Tuipulotu, prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi and centre Rieko Ioane.
