The Blues

Representing the Auckland, Counties Manukau and Thames Valley unions, the Blues dominated the early years of Super Rugby winning back to back titles in 1996 and 1997. By the end of the 1990's, a switch of provincial unions with neighbours the Chiefs, brought players from North Harbour and Northland into the Blues, and saw Counties and Thames Valley aligned closer to home with the Chiefs. The Blues made the finals in 1998, brought home their third Super Rugby title in 2003 and reached the semi-finals in 2007 and 2011. When rugby became professional in 1996, New Zealand's five Super Rugby teams were owned by the NZRU and managed by boards representing the provincial rugby unions in each team's region. 2013 brought about the beginning of a new era for the Blues with NZR offering a licence to operate the club until 2020. The resulting new structure is a limited liability partnership between Rugby Holdings (Auckland, North Harbour and Northland Provincial Unions) and a private investor. NZ Rugby is currently conducting a process to identify a new private investor for the Blues. In our 20 year history to 2015, the club has produced some of this country's biggest rugby stars and household names - Michael Jones, Carlos Spencer, Joe Rokocoko and Keven Mealamu to name a few. At the Blues we have a great rugby legacy to honour, a responsibility to live up to the region we represent and a duty to return the Investec Super Rugby title to its rightful place. SUPER RUGBY