Andy Ellis has outlasted 13 halfbacks at the Blues

Andy Ellis during his debut season for the Crusaders in 2006. Photo / Getty

As Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis takes his rugby skills offshore, the Blues can only dream about having someone of his pedigree.

Since Ellis made his 2006 debut in Super rugby, the Blues have picked 13 halfbacks in their squads.

Meanwhile if Ellis plays against the Waratahs on Friday in Christchurch, he will click over 150 games since he started his battles for the Crusaders halfback role with Kevin Senio.

At the end of that year, Ellis made his All Black debut against England and went on to play 28 tests including a late role from the bench in the 2011 World Cup final.

Ellis will become the only halfback in a select group of players - Keven Mealamu, Nathan Sharpe, Ma'a Nonu, Wyatt Crockett, Corey Flynn, and Stephen Moore - who have played more than 150 Super rugby games.

While Ellis has been a reliable centre-piece for the Crusaders, in that decade the Blues have picked Steve Devine, David Gibson, Danny Lee, Taniela Moa, Chris Smylie, Alby Mathewson, Toby Morland, Piri Weepu, Bryn Hall, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jimmy Cowan, Sam Nock and Billy Guyton as their halfbacks.