Blues

Blues beaten by sick Stormers

They were chasing consecutive wins in South Africa for the first time in ten years.

Centre EW Viljoen scored two tries for the hosts after overcoming the rigours of long-haul travel and a flu bug that left players and management bed-ridden this week.

The Stormers were back home after three defeats on their tour of Australasia and, despite having limited training opportunities in the week because of the illness gripping the team, they had too much power for the Blues.

Highlanders beat Blues 41-34

The Highlanders trailed 31-24 when Blues replacement flanker Antonio Kiri Kiri was yellow carded by Jamie Nutbrown for a high tackle and the home side seized on the opportunity to take a lead they did not relinquish.

Walden's centre partner Rob Thompson also grabbed two tries, while flyhalf Bryn Gatland, winger Matt Duffie and number eight Akira Ioane (two) replied for the visitors.

Neither team was perfect in their first competitive match of the season as they struggled with the new laws at the breakdown that does not allow defenders to attack the ball.

Blues not getting ahead of themselves after Brisbane win

Umaga's side scored a last-gasp try through George Moala to beat the Hurricanes 10-7 in the final of the Brisbane Global Tens, providing a shiny start to 2018 for the under-performing New Zealand side.

New Zealand's worst-placed team for the last four Super Rugby seasons, the three-time champion Blues are staring at another major challenge to make the play-offs for the first time since 2011.

They've started on the right note, with Umaga pleased at how a young, largely second-string outfit gelled in the heat of Brisbane.

Blues battle back for 10s triumph

Trailing 7-0 for almost the entire match after an early converted try to Hurricanes prop Alex Fidow, the Blues dug deep and got a rich reward.

It was a slow, stodgy clash at Suncorp Stadium, until it came to life when Akira Ioane crashed over in the corner, trimming the margin to two points and giving them the opening they needed.

The winning try came after the siren, with George Moala stretching over on the opposite side to spark wild celebrations among his team, which finished bottom of the New Zealand conference in Super Rugby last year.

Carlos Spencer primed for Blues reunion at Brisbane Tens

Except, he's really not.

"He's got all the gear on and I mistook him for one of my players today because he looks in good condition, he's testing well," coach Tana Umaga said, having watched him complete a "bronco" shuttle-run exercise the day before.

Legendary first-five Spencer - now aged 42 - guided the Aucklanders to their last Super Rugby triumph in 2003 before departing the franchise in 2005.

Arguably, they still haven't replaced him in the No.10 jumper.

More injury trouble for Blues

Already down a first five-eighth with Otere Black ruled out with a knee injury, the Blues will be without fellow number 10 Stephen Perofeta for up to six weeks after he broke his hand during his side's pre-season win over the Chiefs last week.

The Blues first match is less than three weeks away against the Highlanders meaning back up first-fives, Bryn Gatland and Dan Kirkpatrick, will fight it out for the starting spot.

Blues to decide Origin coach next month

The NSW Rugby League board met on Tuesday morning to finalise a job description for Laurie Daley's replacement and discuss interested applicants for the position.

NSW Rugby League chief executive David Trodden confirmed front-runner Brad Fittler was one of the final quartet, while John Cartwright, David Furner and Michael Maguire are also rumoured to be in the running.

"Between now and the next meeting we will interview the people who have expressed an interest, with the view to make a decision at the next board meeting which is on the 24th of November," Trodden told AAP.

Blues face nightmare draw

Part of that comes from being the supposedly weak link in the stacked New Zealand conference, and having to play each of their local rivals twice.

But their travel arrangements are also something of a nightmare.

Not only do they have to travel to South Africa for away matches against the mighty Lions and the Stormers, but they also have to deal with a lengthy flight to Tokyo three weeks later.

It's not the trip to Japan that will worry Tana Umaga and the Blues, but having to return home from the Land of the Rising Sun for a home clash with the Highlanders.

Blues re-sign key backs

Collins confirmed to Stuff in June that he had re-signed for another season with the Blues after his venture north from Otago for 2017 had proved so successful.

Now the Auckland franchise have announced that Duffie and Nanai have both committed through until the end of 2019, which establishes some much needed continuity in their back-three stock.

Ranger back to France

The 30-year-old, who featured only sporadically for Tana Umaga's Blues in 2017 as he battled injury and form issues, has agreed to a two-year deal with La Rochelle in the French Top 14 competition.

Ranger, who has made 76 appearances for the Blues, previously played for Montpellier in France from 2013-15, before returning to the Auckland franchise in 2016 in an ill-fated bid to revive his New Zealand career.