Blues name 2027 DHL Super Rugby Pacific squad featuring nine All Blacks
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea and returning midfielder Rieko Ioane headline a Blues squad featuring nine All Blacks for the 2027 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.
Savea’s arrival and Ioane’s return from his sabbatical at Leinster provide two major additions as new head coach Jason Holland prepares for his first campaign in charge.
They join fellow All Blacks Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Anton Segner, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett and Caleb Clarke in a squad combining established international experience with emerging talent.
The Blues will look to build on a 2026 season in which they finished fourth on the ladder before reaching the semifinals.
Savea joins following Moana Pasifika’s departure from the competition, bringing his leadership and all-round influence to a loose forward group that includes fellow All Black Segner, alongside Torian Barnes, Cam Christie, Che Clark, Jed Melvin and Malachi Wrampling.
Holland said Savea’s impact would extend beyond his performances on the field.
“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 bolster a midfield group featuring Zarn Sullivan, Xavi Taele, Leo Gordon and James Cameron. Pita Ahki remains sidelined following an achilles rupture 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,” Holland said.
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Up front, All Blacks locks Tuipulotu and Darry provide experience alongside Josh Beehre, Tristyn Cook and new signing Jack Lee.
Tu’ungafasi returns among the props, with Joshua Fusitu’a and Marcel Renata also providing continuity in the front row. James Mullan, Bradley Slater and newcomer Eli Oudenryn make up the hooker group.
“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.
Barrett and Christie bring All Blacks experience to the halves, where former Highlanders Cam Millar and Nic Shearer are new additions. Millar joins Barrett and Rico Simpson at first-five, while Shearer links up with Christie and Taufa Funaki at halfback.
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“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.”
Clarke heads an outside-back group reinforced by Wallabies representative Darby Lancaster, who arrives from the Western Force, and North Harbour wing Rory Taylor. Kade Banks, Payton Spencer and Cody Vai complete the group.
Holland said the combination of international quality and players progressing through the region’s pathways would underpin the Blues’ approach.
“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.”
The squad will assemble at Blues HQ in late November to begin preparations for the 2027 season.
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Blues squad for 2027 Super Rugby Pacific
All Blacks are shown in bold.
Props: Ben Ake, Joshua Fusitu’a, Marcel Renata, Mason Tupaea, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Flyn Yates.
Hookers: James Mullan, Eli Oudenryn*, Bradley Slater.
Locks: Josh Beehre, Tristyn Cook, Sam Darry, Jack Lee*, Patrick Tuipulotu.
Loose forwards: Torian Barnes, Cam Christie, Che Clark, Jed Melvin*, Ardie Savea*, Anton Segner, Malachi Wrampling.
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Taufa Funaki, Nic Shearer*.
First-fives: Beauden Barrett, Cam Millar*, Rico Simpson.
Midfielders: Pita Ahki (long-term injury), James Cameron, Leo Gordon*, Rieko Ioane, Zarn Sullivan, Xavi Taele.
Outside backs: Kade Banks, Caleb Clarke, Darby Lancaster*, Payton Spencer, Rory Taylor*, Cody Vai.
First-time fully contracted Blues squad members.
