Matty Johnson joins Blues for 2018 Super Rugby

Southland's rookie of the year Matty Johnson has landed himself a Super Rugby contract with the Blues for the 2018 Super Rugby campaign.

The 23-year-old had been selected in an All Blacks sevens development team which will play this week at the San Jose Sevens in the United States.

He was scheduled to fly out with the team on Tuesday before word filtered through that the Blues were keen on him and he was pulled out of the sevens team.

"I had a phone call from Tana [Umaga] and I had a fair idea he wanted me to jump on board, but I thought it would be part of a wider squad," said Johnson.

"But two days later I got a call to say I've got a full contract."

Johnson first picked up the contract with the Stags in this year's Mitre 10 Cup and quickly became a key figure in the starting line, starting in all 10 games for the club.