The Blues, formerly the Auckland Blues, are one of New Zealand’s more successful teams in Super Rugby. They have won the competition in 1996, 1997 and 2003. They have defeated the Sharks, Brumbies and Crusaders for these 3 trophies.  They have had mixed results since the competition expanded first to  a 14 team and in 2011 to a 15 team competition.  

Their worst season was back in 2001 when they could win only 4 games from 11 and they finished 11th on the log.  They have finished in the top half of the log 11 times.

This year’s team looks pretty good with big names like Ma’a Nonu and Piri Weepu included. The squad looks like follows:

Props
   ·         Charlie Faumuina
   ·         Tevita Mailau
   ·         Pauliasi Manu
   ·         Angus Ta'avao
   ·         Tony Woodcock

Hookers
   ·         Ash Dixon
   ·         Tom McCartney
   ·         Keven Mealamu (c)

Locks
   ·         Anthony Boric
   ·         Liaki Moli
   ·         Filo Paulo
   ·         Ali Williams

Loose Forwards
   ·         Daniel Braid
   ·         Luke Braid
   ·         Jerome Kaino
   ·         Chris Lowrey
   ·         Brad Mika
   ·         Peter Saili

Half Backs
   ·         Alby Mathewson
   ·         Toby Morland

Fly Halfs
   ·         Piri Weepu
   ·         Gareth Anscombe
   ·         Lachie Munro

Centres
   ·         Michael Hobbs
   ·         Ma'a Nonu
   ·         Benson Stanley

Wingers
   ·         George Moala
   ·         David Raikuna
   ·         Rene Ranger
   ·         Rudi Wulf

Fullbacks
   ·         Isaia Toeava
   ·         Sherwin Stowers

Again key personnel changes were made for the 2012 season with some experienced players being brought in and some moving to other teams. The changes are as follows:

In for 2012
  ·         Ma'a Nonu from Hurricanes via Ricoh Black Rams
  ·         Rudi Wulf from Toulon
  ·         Piri Weepu from Hurricanes
  ·         Michael Hobbs from Wellington
  ·         Pauliasi Manu from Auckland
  ·         Angus Ta'avao from Auckland
  ·         Gareth Anscombe from Auckland
  ·         George Moala from Auckland
  ·         David Raikuna from North Harbour

Out for 2012
  ·         John Afoa to Ulster
  ·         Stephen Brett to Toyota Verblitz
  ·         Luke McAlister to Toulouse
  ·         Winston Stanley to Western Force
  ·         Joe Rokocoko to Bayonne
  ·         Jared Payne to Ulster
  ·         Chris Smylie to Hurricanes
  ·         James King to Melbourne Rebels
  ·         Kurtis Haiu
  ·         Mathew Luamanu

The most notable inclusions are Ma’a Nonu and Piri Weepu who will definitely bolster the back line and attacking options of the Blues after losing Luke McAlister and Joe Rokocoko. The team is being coach by Pat Lam and he is assisted by Bryce Woodward, Liam Barry and Mike Casey.

The Blues plays their home games at Eden Park and most teams will tell you that it is not the easiest stadium to travel to and win. Although they have gone through a lean patch in recent years, the Blues are still a team to be reckoned with. They will most probably finish second to the Crusaders in the New Zealand conference of the competition. From here they will most likely make it into the semi-finals of the competition and on to the finals depending on who they will meet in the semi’s.

But as always this is just my view…….

Dave