Blues updated Super Rugby squad for 2017

With 25 of their most experienced players returning, the Blues are hoping to pick up from where they left off in the 2017 Super Rugby Championship.

The returning players announced in the squad have an average of 29 Super Rugby caps each for the Blues. Additionally the Blues have attracted some experienced players returning to the region to help bolster their playing roster for 2017 and beyond.

We want to start where we left off from last year – and there was some pleasing form late in the 2016 season. And we want to improve game by game throughout the competition,” Umaga said.

“We won’t be getting ahead of ourselves. Under the current competition format, your form in your own conference is the deciding factor. We were last in the New Zealand Conference this year and so we know there’s a mountain to climb.

“We relish that challenge and we will be looking for the same hard-working team approach, practice-by-practice, game-by-game, week-by-week.”

Forwards: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Epalahame Faiva, Charlie Faumuina, Blake Gibson, Josh Goodhue, Alex Hodgman, Akira Ioane, Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua, Sione Mafileo, Pauliasi Manu, Matt Moulds, Brandon Nansen, James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Kara Pryor, Scott Scrafton , Murphy Taramai, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jimmy Tupou, Ofa Tu'ungafasi

Backs: Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, TJ Faiane, Billy Guyton, Rieko Ioane, Matt Vaega, George Moala, Melani Nanai, Sam Nock, Declan O'Donnell, Stephen Perofeta, Augustine Pulu, Rene Ranger, Jordon Trainor, Ihaia West, Sonny Bill Williams, Piers Francis.

In: Pauliasi Manu (Chiefs), Murphy Taramai (sevens), Jimmy Tupou (Crusaders), Declan O'Donnell (sevens), Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki), Augustine Pulu (Chiefs), Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), Alex Hodgman (Crusaders)

Out: Bryn Hall (Crusaders), Tevita Li (Highlanders), Ben Lam (Hurricanes).