Blues

SBW set for Blues debut

Williams hasn't played since rupturing his Achilles at the Rio Olympics in August.

He's one of three players welcomed back by the Blues with Steven Luatua returning after suspension and fellow loose forward Blake Gibson from injury.

All Black Rieko Ioane earns a recall to the starting line-up at centre after a big contribution off the bench in the win over the Western Force last weekend.

Bryn Gatland in line for Blues debut

West suffered an ankle injury after coming off the bench in the scrappy Blues win over the Force at Eden Park last Saturday, and could now be sidelined for at least a month.

With young Taranaki first five-eighth Stephen Perofeta also battling an ankle complaint, the Blues are likely to persist with Piers Francis at No 10 and include Gatland as cover on the bench for Friday night's clash with the Highlanders in Dunedin. 

West lost his starting role to Francis but has shown spark off the bench, injecting his attacking skills late as the Blues secured successive wins.

Blues beat Western Force

The Force came out wanting to prove their worth as speculation around the club's future in Super Rugby surrounds the team.

The Force got on the scoreboard first with a penalty, before a try to Richie Arnold on debut had them leading the Blues 8-0.

The Blues lacked possession early in the game but started clicking into gear.

A couple of late tries at the end of the first half to Akira Ioane and Matt Duffie put the Blues ahead 12-8.

Collins sticks as Blues 'glue guy'

It's a tag that fits his laidback, level-headed southern approach, the jovial first-year import from Otago so far making an excellent fist of his surprise elevation into the fullback's role for the Blues' Super Rugby campaign.

But battler doesn't do justice to the growing poise the 23-year-old is showing at the back for the Blues, where his steadiness, decision-making, communication and playmaking ability are starting to bear fruit for a side which hosts the struggling Force at Eden Park in the Saturday 5.15pm matinee.

Former NZ 20s midfielder TJ Faiane handed first start for Blues as Rieko Ioane rested

The former New Zealand under-20s midfielder made his Super Rugby debut off the bench two weeks ago against the Crusaders, an occasion that would have come much sooner but for successive season-ending knee injuries.

This week Tana Umaga has thrown Faiane the second five-eighth starting role for the Blues match against the Western Force at Eden Park on Saturday, pushing George Moala out to centre and spelling Rieko Ioane on the bench.

Blues bounce Bulls on North Shore

Playing away from their Eden Park fortress, the hosts outscored the South African visitors six tries to two at Albany's North Harbour Stadium.

The Blues captain James Parsons told Sky Sport he was pleased by the large crowd in Albany despite his side's recent results.

"We're extremely grateful. We obviously didn't get the result last week so gave them plenty of reason not to turn up," said Parsons.

"For them to turn up in numbers like this we're absolutely wrapped and also shows that bringing a game to QBE (stadium) is worthwhile."

Blues driven for success

Tana Umaga's men meet their first South African opponents of the Super Rugby season in Albany on Saturday night when they host the Bulls.

At 1-3, with just six competition points in the red-hot New Zealand conference, it's a matchup the under-achieving Auckland outfits are desperate to win.

After starting with a big victory in Melbourne, the Blues have now dropped three straight, to the Chiefs (41-26), Highlanders (16-12) and Crusaders (33-24) to ease back near the foot of the Kiwi group.

Faumuina back for Blues

All Black tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina is ready to make his first start of the season in the only change to Tana Umaga's run-on XV to face South Africa's Bulls at QBE Stadium, and it's fair to say they're figuring he will be needed.

"It's huge," said Blues skipper James Parsons before Thursday's training. "He's an All Black for a reason: he's one of the best players in the world, and the one game he did play off the bench (against the Chiefs) you saw how electrifying he can be with the ball in hand. We know what he can do at set piece, so it's exciting for us."

When will Sonny Bill Williams return?

Williams is still recovering from surgery on his achilles that he snapped during his campaign with the New Zealand Sevens team at the Rio Olympics.

The 31-year-old was training with the squad today and wants to be back playing by week six of the competition but his coach is keeping his cards close to his chest.

"I think our medical staffs are really mindful of loading too much on him too early.

Highlanders survive late pressure to beat Blues 16-12

Test centre Malakai Fekitoa's 18th-minute effort on the right edge was the only try in the four-point triumph, as both sides struggled in the Auckland wet.

Balls were dropped left, right and centre by both teams, while the Highlanders conceded 18 turnovers and the Blues gave up 23.

But the injury-ravaged Highlanders eventually ground out the win, relying on the kicking game of playmakers Lima Sopoaga and Aaron Smith to guide them home.

"It's just an awesome effort from the boys," skipper Elliot Dixon said.