The return of Jerome Kaino has taken competition for places among the All Black loose forwards to an even higher level.

The Blues thrashed the Reds 44-14 at Eden Park tonight. Read the full match report from Gregor Paul.

Watch a replay of our live blog of tonight's Anzac test between the Kiwis and the Kangaroos in Sydney

The Blues will have the services of Simon Hickey, should they choose, right up to the May 31 clash with the Hurricanes.

A couple of New Zealand teams made real statements this weekend - the Blues and the Highlanders - and in completely different ways.

Simon Hickey is raw, likely to make a few critical mistakes and run down some dead alleys.

Auckland rugby fans say superstar Dan Carter would be a crowd-pleaser if he signed for the Blues, but his deep Canterbury roots will be hard to sever.

The sad business of Benji Marshall's failed code-hop has dangerously sharpened the focus on Blues coach John Kirwan, writes Paul Lewis.

When Daniel Carter finishes his sabbatical towards the tail end of the Super 15, they should steer the All Black towards playing for the Blues.

John Kirwan labelled last night's victory over the Waratahs as a critical one for the Blues as a franchise.

On a day of remembrance it was fitting that Jerome Kaino provided so many evocative glimpses of his former self.

No one should feel at ease, least of all the Blues today, when Israel Folau is primed for action.

The description of a developing Blues first-five as a player with "X-factor" should probably start alarm bells following the Benji Marshall experiment.

Benji Marshall's rugby union experiment is likely to cost him $2 million, with the player set to return to Australia as soon as tomorrow to finalise a budget conscious NRL comeback.

Simon Hickey's experience running the cutter at the ailing Blues should stand him in good stead as the skipper of the New Zealand Under-20s in June's Junior World Championship.

Benji Marshall saved his best performance for the Blues until the end. There were smiles and laughter yesterday at Eden Park in what became a eulogy for his failed rugby experiment.

Benji Marshall has been officially released from his Super Rugby contract, but says he has "been able to find himself again" through playing rugby

New Zealand Rugby and the Blues have today agreed and confirmed the terms of Benji Marshall's release from his Investec Super Rugby contract. Following Friday night’s match against the Hurricanes, Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan and Benji Marshall had some frank and honest discussions and mutually agreed the best path forward was for Marshall to return to rugby league. 29-year-old Marshall said while his on-field performance had not lived up to his expectations, he felt he had become a better player and person for the experience.

Blues halfback Piri Weepu has admitted the Benji Marshall saga has been a distraction for the team, but that the former league player will be missed.

Benji Marshall is leaving the Blues and getting a release from his NZRU contract, Gregor Paul and Wynne Gray give expert opinion and analysis of what has gone wrong at Eden Park.