The Blues are definitely a better team now than they were and, if they had a bit more time, they could push up the table.

A spectacular start has helped the Blues to a big victory over the Brumbies at Eden Park.

The Blues' playoffs hopes are officially over, but their expectations of two more strong performances are not, so - starting with

The Blues' playoffs hopes are officially over, but their expectations of two more high performances are not.

The Blues' disappointment in losing to the Hurricanes despite a sparkling first-half performance could be deepened by a hand injury

It was a predictable result in the end but this was a game that most definitely didn't conform to expectations.

All the action from the clash between the Hurricanes and Blues from Westpac Stadium.

Umaga concedes it's hard to see the 25-year-old five-eighth moving from the franchise with whom he made his Super Rugby debut in 2011.

Internationals Jerome Kaino, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Male Sa'u return to the Blues line-up for Saturday's Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

Jimmy Tupou and Alex Hodgman will join the Blues on two-year deals.

They've already enticed one All Black up State Highway 1.

Sonny Blue Williams. That's a tinge his family and the patient franchise supporters have long been championing, writes Wynne Gray.

Watch NZ Herald Focus: Sonny Bill Williams revealed family played a major part in his decision to sign with the Blues over the Chiefs.

Sonny Bill Williams has played for many rugby league and rugby teams. The Blues will be his 14th.

Sonny Bill Williams has made the only fair and sensible decision, rejecting the Chiefs and joining the Blues, writes Chris Rattue.

Sonny Bill Williams will announce a three-year deal with New Zealand Rugby today but it is not known which Super Rugby side he intends to play for.

The Blues, according to coach Tana Umaga, were tired this week.

The Blues are too far into their redevelopment to be enthused by brave defeats. They can't really shrug off losses any more as all being part of the learning curve.

Adding some intrigue to the grudge match between the Blues and Crusaders at Eden Park tomorrow night is the impending departure of halfback Bryn Hall.

A knee injury has ruled Blues loose forward Tanerau Latimer out of the team to play the Crusaders at Eden Park.

In holding on to beat the Force in Perth, the Blues won two matches on their South African road trip for the first time in eight years.

Somehow the Blues managed to hang on to beat the Force and keep their faintest playoff hopes alive.

If there was an easy answer to why the Blues have suffered a decade of mediocrity, it would most likely have been found.

Auckland has a stunning talent base. And the city hosts a chronically underachieving, exasperatingly erratic Super Rugby side. Why?

These days Auckland is more like a graveyard for potential All Blacks. They seem to do better in any other franchise.

Most social golfers know about the Mulligan rule - where once in the round, a duffed drive can be retaken without penalty.

The Blues believe they're on track to take the hard edge they have developed in training this week on to the Nib Stadium pitch against the Force on Saturday.