1 I BLUES 2017 - SUPER RUGBY SQUAD GUIDE
2018 SQUAD GUIDE
2 I BLUES 2017 - SUPER RUGBY SQUAD GUIDE
TANA UMAGA
Head Coach
Blues Coaching Debut: 2016 Other Coaching Roles: RC Toulonnais, Counties Manukau Steelers, Chiefs development team
Centurion for Wellington and Hurricanes & 74 caps for All Blacks including captaincy. Player-coach and head coach at Toulon, back to coach at Counties Manukau with success, and Assistant coach for NZU20 and Maori All Blacks. Took over Blues in 2016. We made some progress in 2016 and have some experienced players coming home to play for us this year. We want to start where we left off, and improve in every game.
ALISTAIR ROGERS
ASSISTANT CoachBlues Coaching Debut: 2016
Welsh-born former player who moved into coaching in Ireland and Japan. Moved to NZ & Hurricanes & became All Blacks analyst for 7 year, specialising in opposition analysis and defence. He moved back to coaching with the Blues in 2016 with responsibility for defence. The 2016 season was a learning curve and the made significant change in our defensive patterns. We need to take this to a further level again in 2017 as the cornerstone of our game.
DAVE ELLIS
SKILLS CoachBlues Coaching Debut: 2016
Dave is a highly respected coach around the globe, who has specialised in skills coaching. He played around the world and then has also had coaching contracts both in NZ for the Int Rugby Academy and several countries. He returns home after his involvement at Connacht in Ireland where they win the Pro 12 title for first time.
STEVE JACKSON
ASSISTANT CoachBlues Coaching Debut: 2015
Steve joins the Blues as the forwards coach after outstanding two years with North Harbour. Played for NZ Schools and NZ Maoris, plus Tasman, Auckland, North Harbour and Southland. Moved to successful coaching stints in Nelson, Tasman, Counties Manukau and then North Harbour, & has been Blues Development coach for 3 years. Ive worked closely inside the Blues organisation for over two years and think I have a clear understanding of the direction the club is moving and the tremendous work that has been done to make change in the organisation as a whole.
3 I BLUES 2017 - SUPER RUGBY SQUAD GUIDE
LENI APISAI
DATE OF BIRTH: 08.03.96 PHYSICAL 1.81m, 106kg
POSITION: Hooker
SUPER GAMES: 15 SUPER POINTS: 15 (3t)
SUPER DEBUT: 2016 v Brumbies at Canberra
2017 PROVINCE: Wellington
PROVINCIAL GAMES: 30 PROVINCIAL POINTS: 25 (5t)
PROVINCIAL DEBUT: 2014v Waikato at Wellington
TEST CAPS uncapped TEST POINTS N/A
TEST DEBUT N/A
COACHES SAY: The 21 year old hooker has joined the Blues from the Hurricanes, after playing for NZ Schools and captaining the NZ U20 side at the 2016 IRB World Championship. Made his Super debut in the same year, and also selected for the Maori All Blacks. He is a young leader who is accurate at set piece and abrasive runner, set to make a real contribution at the Blues.
OTERE BLACK
DATE OF BIRTH: 04.05.95 PHYSICAL 1.84m, 86kg
POSITION: First five eighth
SUPER GAMES: 21 SUPER POINTS: 75 (1t, 26c, 6p)
SUPER DEBUT: 2015 v Rebels at Wellington
2017 PROVINCE: Manawatu
PROVINCIAL GAMES: 39 PROVINCIAL POINTS: 341 (2t, 86c, 53p)
PROVINCIAL DEBUT: 2014 v Auckland at Palmerston North
TEST CAPS uncapped TEST POINTS N/A
TEST DEBUT N/A
COACHES SAY: Another young player to move from the Hurricanes to the Blues, Black has impressed with his performances for the NZ U-20s in their 2017 World championship win and for the Maori All Blacks. Key pivot for Manawatu and also as back-up to Beauden Barrett at the Hurricanes. He will sit out the 2018 season after an ACL injury in the Mitre 10 Cup.
CALEB CLARKE
DATE OF BIRTH: 28.03.99 PHYSICAL 1.89m, 107kg
POSITION: Wing
SUPER GAMES: uncappedSUPER POINTS: N/A
SUPER DEBUT: N/A
2017 PROVINCE: Auckland
PROVINCIAL GAMES: 3 PROVINCIAL POINTS: 0
PROVINCIAL DEBUT: 2017 v Counties Manukau at Pukeko-he
TEST CAPS uncapped TEST POINTS N/A
TEST DEBUT N/A
COACHES SAY: Caleb is a teenager who has been part of the Blues development programme for some years and the son of Blues and All Black great Eroni. He is a powerful and fast winger for NZ Schools and the NZ U20s in their IRB Junior World champs victory in 2017.
MICHAEL COLLINS
DATE OF BIRTH: 03.06.93 PHYSICAL 1.86m, 99kg
POSITION: Midfield back
SUPER GAMES: 14 SUPER POINTS: 10 (2t)
SUPER DEBUT: 2017 v Rebels at Melbourne
2017 PROVINCE: Otago
PROVINCIAL GAMES: 43 PROVINCIAL POINTS: 50 (10t)
PROVINCIAL DEBUT: 2012 v Southland (Otago) at Balclutha
TEST CAPS uncapped TEST POINTS N/A
TEST DEBUT N/A
COACHES SAY: Otago utility who played for NZ Schools and NZ U20s as well as more than 30 caps for his province. Moved north to the Blues for 2017 and impressed with his professional approach, allround skills and excellent communication. He sealed the fullback spot, with 12 Super caps and also featured in the victory over the British & Irish Lions to earn a further contract.
4 I BLUES 2017 - SUPER RUGBY SQUAD GUIDE
GERARD COWLEY-TUIOTI
DATE OF BIRTH: 16.06.92 PHYSICAL 1.96m, 112kg
POSITION: Lock
SUPER GAMES: 16 SUPER POINTS: 15 (3t)
SUPER DEBUT: 2016 v Brumbies at Auckland
2017 PROVINCE: North Harbour
PROVINCIAL GAMES: 37 PROVINCIAL POINTS: 10 (2t)
PROVINCIAL DEBUT: 2014 v Manawatu at Albany
TEST CAPS uncapped TEST POINTS N/A
TEST DEBUT N/A
COACHES SAY: Gerard became one of the most improved players in the Blues in 2017, cementing his place in the second row and forming a strong locking partnership with Scott Scrafton. He played in all 16 Super matches, 13 of them as a starter. He was initially called into 2015 Blues for training cover and earned a fulltime place in 2016.
MATT DUFFIE
DATE OF BIRTH: 16.08.90 PHYSICAL 1.92m, 95kg
POSITION: Wing/Fullback
SUPER GAMES: 20 SUPER POINTS: 35 (7t)
SUPER DEBUT: 2016 v Crusaders at Christchurch
2017 PROVINCE: North Harbour
PROVINCIAL GAMES: 21 PROVINCIAL POINTS: 50 (10t)
PROVINCIAL DEBUT: 2016 v Counties Manukau at Albany
TEST CAPS uncapped TEST POINTS N/A
TEST DEBUT N/A
COACHES SAY: After moving back to rugby in New Zealand in 2016, the former league professional at Melbourne Storm took some time to find his feet in Super Rugby. But his form in 2017 was stunning, on and off the field as a complete professional. He proved elusive on the wing, bagged five tries and was outstanding with his aerial skills. His form earned All Blacks call-up for the Northern Tour.
TJ FAIANE
DATE OF BIRTH: 24.10.95 PHYSICAL 1.75m, 92kg
POSITION: Midfield back
SUPER GAMES: 7 SUPER POINTS: 0
SUPER DEBUT: 2017 v Crusaders at Christchurch
2017 PROVINCE: Auckland
PROVINCIAL GAMES: 17 PROVINCIAL POINTS: 5 (1t)
PROVINCIAL DEBUT: 2014 v Bay of Plenty at Rotorua
TEST CAPS uncapped TEST POINTS N/A
TEST DEBUT N/A
COACHES SAY: The former NZ Schools and NZ U20 (2014-2015) midfielder finally got his opportunity after two years on the sideline through two ACL injuries in 2015 and 2016. He is a tremendous midfield talent who played seven times including four as a starter.
BRYN GATLAND
DATE OF BIRTH: 05.10.95 PHYSICAL 1.78m, 88kg
POSITION: First five eighth
SUPER GAMES: 4 SUPER POINTS: 11 (1c, 3p)
SUPER DEBUT: 2017 v Highlanders at Dunedin
2017 PROVINCE: North Harbour
PROVINCIAL GAMES: 21 PROVINCIAL POINTS: 231 (39c, 50p, 1d)
PROVINCIAL DEBUT: 2016 v Counties Manukau at Albany
TEST CAPS uncapped TEST POINTS N/A
TEST DEBUT N/A
COACHES SAY: The son of Lions and Wales coach Warren Gatland, Bryn joined the Blues as a replacement in 2017 earning four caps. He impressed significantly at the Blues and for North Harbour with his mature game management despite his lack of years and experience. Excellent kicking game and outstanding goal kicker.
5 I BLUES 2017 - SUPER RUGBY SQUAD GUIDE
BLAKE GIBSON
DATE OF BIRTH: 19.04.95 PHYSICAL 1.86m, 103kg
POSITION: Loose forward
SUPER GAMES: 26 SUPER POINTS: 10 (2t)
SUPER DEBUT: 2015 v Highlanders at Dunedin
2017 PROVINCE: Auckland
PROVINCIAL GAMES: 21 PROVINCIAL POINTS: 20 (4t)
PROVINCIAL DEBUT: 2014 v Canterbury at Christchurch
TEST CAPS uncapped TEST POINTS N/A
TEST DEBUT N/A
COACHES SAY: Blake, despite his youth, became a stalwart in the pack in 2017, starting in 13 Super games and against the Lions. The former NZ U20 star impressed with his uncompromising approach in defence and strong running game. However a shoulder injury will sideline him for much of the 2018 season.
JOSH GOODHUE
DATE OF BIRTH: 13.06.95 PHYSICAL 1.99m, 115kg
POSITION: Lock
SUPER GAMES: 2 SUPER POINTS: 0
SUPER DEBUT: 2017 v Hurricanes at Auckland
2017 PROVINCE: Northland
PROVINCIAL GAMES: 22 PROVINCIAL POINTS: 20 (4t)
PROVINCIAL DEBUT: 2016 v HawkesBay (Northland) at Napier
TEST CAPS uncapped TEST POINTS N/A
TEST DEBUT N/A
COACHES SAY: The big lock from the far North made an excellent start to his Blues career, earning two caps as a replacement and making a strong impression in the squad and with the Blues A side. The NZ Schools and NZ U20 representative showed the benefits of his Blues efforts, with a superb season for Northland in the Mitre 10 Cup, alongside twin brother Jack who plays for the Crusaders.
ALEX HODGMAN
DATE OF BIRTH: 16.07.93 PHYSICAL 1.96m, 122kg
POSITION: Prop
SUPER GAMES: 13 SUPER POINTS: 5 (1t)
SUPER
