![Kaino on the path to World Cup spot](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Kaino on the path to World Cup spot
If the financial details can be sorted, Jerome Kaino wants to sign on for the Blues' next campaign as the opening bid in his attempt to make the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
If the financial details can be sorted, Jerome Kaino wants to sign on for the Blues' next campaign as the opening bid in his attempt to make the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The Blues have been boosted by Benji Marshall's positive reaction about playing Super 15 rugby next season and have made an offer to the Kiwi five-eighth.
Referees say it's knowing when to show the yellow card that troubles them.
A layer of talent arrived who were new to Super 15 or had just dipped their toes into the tournament last year.
Blues coach Sir John Kirwan and ceo Andy Dalton are flying to Sydney this weekend to talk to Benji Marshall about coming to the franchise.
All the buzz is about Benji Marshall but a greater mission for the Blues will be finding a centre to replace Rene Ranger.
The Blues will have to self-fund their deal to bring Benji Marshall to Auckland as the New Zealand Rugby Union has confirmed it is unlikely to provide much.
A year from now and who will recall that the Blues, reduced to 14 men for most of the game and 13 for a period, played so gamely and effectively against such monumental odds?
Gregor Paul looks at what coach John Kirwan has done well and not so well in his first year in charge
The Chiefs have squeezed past a 14-man Blues side to go top of the Super 15 table, winning 26-16 at Eden Park
Join us for tonight's live blog of the Super 15 clash between the Blues and the Chiefs at Eden Park in Auckland.
What's on it? How much time have you got to dwell on the Blues' final match tonight against their regular Chiefs rivals.
"I think we are getting a little too predictable," coach John Kirwan says. "We have to work out how to get some more excitement going on and off the field. We need to see that in the way we express ourselves on the track."
The Blues have begun their search for locks and captain Ali Williams is sure that hunt will turn up some fine talent for next year's Super 15.
Has there ever been such a controversial Auckland lock as Ali Williams? And has the city's place as the home of the great locks in world rugby come to an end?
There's no doubt the Blues need a bit of star quality at first five-eighths next year but their biggest concern on the recruitment front is strengthening a tight five precariously short of depth and genuine clout.
After years of searching and endless rejections, the Blues may have at last found their world-class No 10 - with Beauden Barrett understood to be seriously contemplating a shift to Auckland.
It seems incredible a team with four straight defeats and a losing record could still sneak into the playoffs, but the Blues are hoping to beat the odds.
A must-win match is when a team most relies on seasoned pros, but John Kirwan is backing a young playmaking pair to pull through for the Blues.