Blues squad locked in for 2027 Super Rugby Pacific

All Blacks captain Ardie Savea and a returning Rieko Ioane along with a mix of internationals and emerging talent make up the Blues Squad for the 2027 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.

New head coach Jason Holland’s first squad blends a core of All Blacks experience with the marquee arrival of Ardie Savea, the return of Rieko Ioane from his sabbatical at Leinster, and a group of new signings and homegrown players.

The squad comes together after a 2026 campaign in which the Blues finished fourth on the ladder before exiting the competition in the semi finals.

Holland said the squad has been built to compete from the opening round.

“This is a squad with real belief in it. We’ve got some of the best players in the world sitting alongside young men from this region who are hungry to make the Blues jersey their own, and that’s exactly the mix you want,” Holland said.

“The Blues are a proud club with a big following. Our job is to play a brand of rugby that gets Auckland excited and gives people a reason to back us. That starts with how we train, how we connect, and how we turn up for each other every week.

“There’s a lot of talent in this group. We want to be a team that’s tough up front and brave with the ball, and we’ll be demanding that we get better every week,” Holland said.

Savea joins the Blues for 2027 after Moana Pasifika’s exit from the competition, bringing world-class leadership and one of the game’s biggest personalities to a loose forward group that includes the likes of Anton Segner, Torian Barnes, Malachi Wrampling and Jed Melvin.

“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.”

Ioane returns to the club where he has made his name for a decade, back from a stint with Leinster and ready to add strike power to a midfield that features Zarn Sullivan, Xavi Taele, Leo Gordon and James Cameron. Pita Ahki remains sidelined following a ruptured Achilles during the NPC season.

“Rieko is Blue through and through. He’s come back from Leinster with fresh experiences, and his pace and physicality will make a big difference in our backline.”

All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu heads a second row that includes Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Tristyn Cook and Jack Lee.

Joshua Fusitu’a, Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Marcel Renata lead a front row that also features hookers James Mullan, Bradley Slater and Eli Oudenryn.

“Patrick and Ofa have been the heartbeat of this pack for a long time. The young forwards coming through have good role models to follow, and we’ll be expecting our set piece to be a real weapon,” Holland said.

In the halves, Beauden Barrett is joined at first five by new signing Cam Millar and Rico Simpson, while Finlay Christie and Taufa Funaki are joined at halfback by former Highlander Nic Shearer.

“Having someone like Beauden in the group is gold for our younger playmakers. Cam and Nic bring Super Rugby experience from the Highlanders, and the competition across our halves and back three is going to drive standards right across the squad.”

Capped Wallaby Darby Lancaster joins from the Western Force, and North Harbour flyer Rory Taylor earns a Blues contract. They join Caleb Clarke and Cody Vai on the wing, with Payton Spencer and Kade Banks at fullback.

“Darby brings genuine pace and experience, and Rory has earned his opportunity through his performances for North Harbour. Add Caleb, Cody and Payton and we’ve got a back three that can hurt teams from anywhere,” Holland said.

“The region is producing quality young players, and we want them to see a clear pathway into this team. Some of these guys will get their first real chance in 2027, and I can’t wait to see what they do with it,” Holland said.

The squad will assemble at Blues HQ in late November to begin pre-season preparations ahead of the DHL 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season.

2027 BLUES SQUAD

PROPS
Ben Ake (Auckland)
Joshua Fusitu’a (Auckland)
Marcel Renata (Northland)
Mason Tupaea (Waikato)
Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Auckland)
Flyn Yates (Manawatu)

HOOKERS
James Mullan (Northland)
Eli Oudenryn* (Tasman)
Bradley Slater (Taranaki)

LOCKS
Josh Beehre (Auckland)
Tristyn Cook (North Harbour)
Sam Darry (Canterbury)
Jack Lee* (North Harbour)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland)

LOOSE FORWARDS
Torian Barnes (Canterbury)
Cam Christie (North Harbour)
Che Clark (Auckland)
Jed Melvin* (North Harbour)
Ardie Savea* (Wellington)
Anton Segner (Auckland)
Malachi Wrampling (Waikato)

HALFBACKS
Finlay Christie (Tasman)
Taufa Funaki (Auckland)
Nic Shearer* (Southland)

FIRST FIVES
Beauden Barrett (Taranaki)
Cam Millar* (Otago)
Rico Simpson (Auckland)

MIDFIELDERS
Pita Ahki (long term injury) (Auckland)
James Cameron (Canterbury)
Leo Gordon* (North Harbour)
Rieko Ioane (Auckland)
Zarn Sullivan (Hawke’s Bay)
Xavi Taele (Auckland)

OUTSIDE BACKS
Caleb Clarke (Auckland)
Darby Lancaster* (Hawke’s Bay)
Rory Taylor* (North Harbour)
Cody Vai (Auckland)

FULLBACK
Kade Banks (North Harbour)
Payton Spencer (Auckland)

*First time fully contracted Blues Squad members