After winning the 2024 competition, Vern Cotter and his Blues have named a young squad filled with some toughened veterans to defend their title ahead of the 2025 DHL Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
Seven new players have been given a full contract, and the squad has nine All Blacks from the end of year Northern Tour squad.
The Blues have named returning All Black first five Beauden Barrett in the squad after a short stint in Japan for Toyota Verblitz.
Barrett bolsters the impressive Blues backline that has added Bay of Plenty NPC winger Reon Paul and former All Black’s son Payton Spencer.
Reon Paul was a standout player for Bay of Plenty’s 2024 NPC season, showcasing his skills as one of the best utility backs in the competition.
Payton Spencer, the son of former All Black Carlos, is added to the Blues squad after playing in the New Zealand Sevens side.
Spencer, adding to the growing list of Blues players who are representing the same Super Rugby club their fathers had previously played for. A list including Hoskins Sotutu (son of Waisake) and Caleb Clarke (son of Eroni).
Under 20 New Zealand vice-captain and impressive Auckland NPC midfielder Xavi Taele has been given his first full Super Rugby Pacific contract after an outstanding season with Auckland in the NPC.
Vern Cotter gives four forwards their first full playing Super Rugby Pacific contracts, promising loose forward Che Clark, Hooker James Mullan from Canterbury, North Harbour and New Zealand U20 Lock Cameron Christie, and prop Ben Ake.
Experienced midfielder Bryce Heem has been ruled out of the whole 2025 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season due to a wrist injury.
Head coach Vern Cotter will be looking to continue where the team left off last season.
“I think we’ll start ahead of where we were last season, we can take the results and experience gained last time round and build on it this year, ” said Cotter.
“I’m looking forward to getting in with everyone, reconnecting and getting back to work. It will be good to get to know the new squad members and see what they’re all about.”
For the new players coming into their first season at Blues HQ, Cotter and his coaching staff are seeking positive energy from the start.
“I want enthusiasm and for them to put their hand up,” he said.
“I enjoyed watching NPC this season and seeing the younger guys stepping up. Now it’s their time to come into the Blues and start pushing for spots.”
With the Blues staff and players returning from a victorious campaign in early 2024, Cotter explains the excitement from his team in and around Blues HQ.
“We’re just about ready to take the handbrake off and get stuck in – a lot of preparation has already been done. As a coaching group we’ve been watching a lot of rugby, keeping an eye on our guys both here and abroad and it’s about time to open the doors and get started.”
Blues Men’s Squad 2025
Forwards
Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Marcel Renata, Jordan Lay, Joshua Fusitu’a, PJ Sheck, Ben Ake, Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, James Mullan, Laghlan McWhannell, Cameron Christie, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Che Clark
Backs
Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Xavi Taele, Corey Evans, Meihana Grindlay, Zarn Sullivan, Mark Tele’a, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Payton Spencer, Reon Paul, Cole Forbes
Unavailable due to injury: Bryce Heem (wrist)
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