Rugby: Goodhue gets nod for Blues

Northlands Josh Goodhue (with ball) during a lineout in an ITM Cup rugby match against the Hawke's Bay Magpies last season. Photo / Paul Taylor

Northland lock Josh Goodhue will join the Blues next year.

The 21-year-old, who stands 2m and 116kg, played for the New Zealand Under-17 team in 2012 and was part of the successful New Zealand Under-20 side that won the World Cup last year.

Goodhue hails from Kawakawa, where he turned out for the local United Kawakawa club before he and his twin brother Jack moved to Mount Albert Grammar in Auckland.

The twins were both selected for the New Zealand Under-20s, with Jack now playing for Canterbury and attending Lincoln University.

Blues coach Tana Umaga said the selection of Josh Goodhue is another signal that the organisation is clearly identifying its young prospects and working hard to retain them in the region.

"Josh has been on the radar of our high performance manager Tony Hanks for some time and I came across him with the New Zealand Under-20s last year," Umaga said.

"He is big and athletic with a considerable future in the game. I'm sure he will develop well inside the Blues environment and be able to soak up so much from the likes of Paddy Tuipulotu, Steven Luatua and Jerome Kaino."

Umaga said he was also pleased because it signals that players from Northland do not need to leave the area to further their rugby.