Rugby: Blues achieve 'balance'

Fluctuating form from the locks was one of the Blues problems as they battled to finish in 10th place and miss the playoffs again this year.

Leadership, locks and the staff have had a makeover at the Blues.

All Black loosie Jerome Kaino is the new captain, Josh Bekhuis has been picked up as a new lock alongside a repaired Culum Retallick while two new coaches have joined John Kirwan's staff.

The coach pronounced his squad as "much better balanced than last year".

"We were all a bit frustrated with last season and that is really coming through with communications I have been having with the players," Kirwan said.

Fluctuating form from the locks was one of the Blues problems as they battled to finish in 10th place and miss the playoffs again this year.

After a three-season stretch blighted by injury and erratic form, Liaki Moli has been let go, so too Tom Murday and former All Black Tom Donnelly.

Bekhuis has shifted north with more than 80 games of experience for the Highlanders and Retallick, cousin of All Black lock Brodie Retallick, is fit after reconstructive surgery on his right knee took him out of this year's entire campaign.

"I think Josh [Bekhuis] is a huge signing for us," said Kirwan.

Much will be expected again of All Black Patrick Tuipulotu while there will be solid backup from Hayden Triggs, promise from Will Lloyd, a Northland lock at well over 2m tall, and versatile cover from Steven Luatua.

New captain Kaino, Keven Mealamu, Charlie Faumuina and Tuipulotu are on tour with the All Blacks but the Blues will have test men Luatua, Tony Woodcock, Frank Halai and Francis Saili ready to complete an entire conditioning programme before the series start.

Five-eighths selection came down to picking the different talents of Ihaia West and Simon Hickey, with competition from Daniel Bowden as Baden Kerr slipped off the list after an injury-affected two years.

In midfield there is room for Pita Ahki, Saili, Bowden, George Moala and new pick Hamish Northcott to compete for selection.

New forward mentor Glenn Moore has come from Mid-Canterbury and former All Black David Hill from a stint in Japan to join Kirwan and Grant Doorey as the coaching core with the exit of the experienced Graham Henry and Mick Byrne.