mens
super-rugby-pacific
The Blues have without a doubt pulled off the biggest signing Super Rugby Pacific off season but All black people Captain Ardie Savea is just one of nine new faces in new head coach Jason Holland’s camp.
The reinvigorated Rieko Ioane will also have Auckland faithful on his feet as he returns from Saturday’s season in Leinster, where he took home the URC title. New Zealand U20 graduate James Cameron joins Ioane in the midfield.
The local Auckland production line has been busy and quite prolific for the club, which lost key servants Stephen Perofeta, AJ Lam, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotuttu, Sam Nock and Kurt Eklund after the 2026 campaign.
The newcomers are youthful and promising, led Tasman star Eli Oudenryn, who made his debut from the wider training pool at the end of the 2026 season. Jack Lee, Leo Gordon, Jed Melvin, Mason Tupaea and Torian Barnes were also promoted from the wider training pool in 2026, although Barnes was an early call-up following Cam Christie’s pre-season injury and made 14 appearances in his first season in Auckland, with Tupaea playing 16 games.
“The region is producing quality young players and we want them to see a clear path into this team. Some of these guys will get their first real opportunity in 2027 and I can’t wait to see what they do with it,” said Holland.
Rory Taylor 2026 didn’t even make the wider training squad but is now a full-fledged member of the Blues squad after a breakthrough season for North Harbour. Nic Shearer and Cam Millar have moved north Highlanders to begin a new chapter in the City of Sails as Wallaby Darby Lancaster made a rare move across the Tasman from the Western Power.
And then, of course, there’s All Blacks centurion and World Rugby Player of the Year 2023, Ardie Savea.
“Ardie is one of the best players in the world, but what excites me just as much is what he brings to the group – his energy, his standards and the way he connects with people. Our young loosies will learn a huge amount just by being around him every day,” enthused Holland.
“This is a team that really believes in that. We’ve got some of the best players in the world sitting alongside youngsters from this region who are hungry to make the Blues shirt their own, and that’s exactly the mix you want.”
“The Blues are a proud club with a huge following. Our job is to play a brand of rugby that excites Auckland and gives people a reason to support us. That starts with how we train, how we bond and how we check in with each other every week.”
“There is a lot of talent in this group. We want to be a team that will be tough and brave with the ball, and we will demand that we get better every week.”
Blues Team 2027
PROPS
Ben Ake
Joshua Fusitu’a
Marcel Renata
Mason Tupaea
Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Yates Hill
HOOKERS
James Mullan
Eli Oudenryn*
Bradley Slater
LOCKS
Josh Beehre
Tristin Cook
Darry himself
Jack Lee*
Patrick Tuipulotu
LOOSE FORWARDS
Torian Barnes
Cam Christie
That Clark
Jed Melvin*
Ardie Savea*
Anton Segner
Malachi Wrampling
HALFBACKS
Finlay Christie
Sell Fun
Nic Shearer*
FIRST FIVES
Beauden Barrett
Cam Millar*
Rico Simpson
MIDFIELDER
Pita Ahki (long-term injury)
James Cameron
Leo Gordon*
River Ioane
Zarn Sullivan
Xavi Taele
OUTSIDE BACK
Where is Banks?
Caleb Clarke
Darby Lancaster*
Payton Spencer
Rory Taylor*
Cody Wow
* Denotes Blues Rookie
