Rugby: North could still host Blues

A trip North during the regular season could bolster the Blues' commercial incentives. Photo / John Stone

Northland could still be in the mix to host a Blues Super Rugby game next year despite the recent draw which showed the bulk of the Blues home matches for 2016 would be played at Eden Park.

Expressing interest about a mid-year competition game, Northland Rugby Union chief executive Jeremy Parkinson said the Blues were still "nailing down the draw.

"We have been communicating with them ... obviously they've just announced the draw for next year, but there is talk and they are keen." With home-crowd numbers at Eden Park and North Harbour's QBE Stadium suffering during this year's Blues campaign, a welcome trip North during the regular season could bolster the franchise's commercial incentives.

The 2016 draw features a new-look competition and trophy and the inclusion of a sixth team from South Africa and new teams from Japan and Argentina.

The Blues will help headline a blockbuster opening weekend on Friday, February 26, when they take on defending champions, the Highlanders, at home - a match which could see Northland's Pryor brothers, Dan (Highlanders) and Kara (Blues), go head-to-head.

The second home game is against the Hurricanes at Eden Park in March as well as hosting a match against the newly minted Argentinian side on April 2 at QBE Stadium.

New head coach Tana Umaga was pleased to see a draw with home games evenly spaced throughout the season.

"It's great to have the eight games at home next season which means we do not have the away game with Argentina, who are in our pool.

"The byes are spaced out well in the opening half of the season, so the players will be well rested.

"The later tour to South Africa also means we'll be able to work off the momentum of the opening stages before we finish at home.

"There are some real promising factors of this draw, so it'll be good to begin planning the detail around the season."

Adding an update on the Blues recruitment situation, Umaga said everything was on track.

"Right now I'm happy with our recruitment process and we'll be in place to name our full squad at the end of October."