The rise and rise of Malakai Fekitoa has coincided with a corresponding fall in the midfield stocks at the Blues, his former franchise for whom he didn't play a competition game.

I heard a funny thing the other day. A bloke on the wireless was talking about Super Rugby coaches.

His efforts against the Blues left little doubt that Damian McKenzie is a young man full of belief in his own abilities.

A key cause of last year's inconsistent Chiefs campaign was the mid-season absence of Aaron Cruden.

With lock Patrick Tuipulotu on the brink of returning, John Kirwan's thoughts as he left Auckland yesterday for Sydney on the first leg of the Blues' journey to South Africa might have been how to....

It might not be a wise idea to be cautiously optimistic about the Blues' chances this year in the wake of a first round defeat, but they did enough for judgement to at least be reserved.

No surprise the Blues came second. Not against the Chiefs who have hovered around the top of the competition for the last few years while the Blues have puttered along in their own slurry.

Justin Marshall, in the first of his twice-weekly columns, casts his eyes over the strengths and weaknesses of the New Zealand franchises.

With Minnesota Vikings tight end Rhett Ellison visiting training this week, it's tempting to ponder how some of the Blues' best would handle a job swap.

Blues captain Jerome Kaino receives his new playing jersey from teenage patient Tyrone Banks at Starship children's hospital.

More of the same, with the Blues repeating their 10th-place finish from 2013 to leave their record of 32 games played under John Kirwan's command for 13 wins and 19....

We know Keven Mealamu will sit out Super Rugby for a month but the Blues will begin the tournament with an entire All Black front row this weekend.

Blues coach John Kirwan has already made mention of his satisfaction at Steven Luatua's leadership at this early stage of the season.

New season, same old problems for Blues coach John Kirwan, who must consider a delicate juggling act with his loose forwards ahead of the first competition game against the Chiefs.

New Zealand's sevens sensation Rieko Ioane has the Blues to thank for honing his form, with coach John Kirwan comparing his style to Israel Folau and Sonny Bill Williams.

The Blues will today officially announce a new $4 million purpose-built training and administrative headquarters at Alexandra Park in Auckland.

Two Blues players who recently appeared in court - one waiting for sentencing on assault charges - took to the field in a pre-season game last night.

A Blues rugby star tipped to be a future All Black has dodged a conviction for drink driving because a judge believed it would impede his 'stellar career'.

John Kirwan is adamant the Blues Super Rugby franchise is heading in the right direction, despite a difficult few days after George Moala was found guilty in the courts of assault and the termination of Peter Saili's contract.

George Moala is free to train, play and travel with the Blues until May 1, despite being found guilty last week of assault.

The Blues' confirmation that George Moala will return while the judicial process is completed is a slap in the face to victims of violence everywhere, writes Chris Rattue.

Blues wing George Moala will return to train with the side after being found guilty of wounding with intent over a late night fight two years ago.

The Blues could be trotting off to Alexandra Park where they will establish their new training base and headquarters, possibly by as early as November.

Peter Saili's Super Rugby career came to an abrupt end yesterday with the NZRU terminating his contract as the Blues forward eyes up an offer to play in France.

The jury in the assault trial of Blues rugby player George Moala has found him guilty on one charge.

Peter Saili to move to France after New Zealand Rugby Union and the Blues reached an agreement to end his employment with immediate effect..