The Blues is a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Auckland, New Zealand who play in the Super Rugby competition. Like New Zealand's four other Super Rugby teams, the Blues were established by the NZRU in 1996. One of the most successful teams in Super Rugby history, the Blues won the competition in its first two seasons, 1996 and 1997, and again in 2003. Additionally, the team were finalists in 1998 and 2022 and semi-finalists in 2007 and 2011.
Sir Michael Niko Jones is a New Zealand former rugby union player and coach. He was named by Rugby World magazine as the third best All Black of the 20th century after Colin Meads and Sean Fitzpatrick. John Hart, who first selected him for Auckland, called him "almost the perfect rugby player".
Wesley College is a secondary school in Paerata, at the northern edge of Pukekohe, Auckland Region, New Zealand. The school provides education from year 9 to 13.
Patrick Richard Lam is a rugby union coach and former player. He is currently Director of Rugby at Bristol Bears in England's Premiership Rugby.
The Auckland Rugby Union is a New Zealand provincial rugby union. The union was established in 1883 and was originally responsible for the administration of the sport in most of the former Auckland Province, although its boundaries have since shrunk to include only a portion of the Auckland urban area. The union governs the Auckland representative team, which has won New Zealand's first-tier domestic provincial competition 17 times, more than any other team. Their most recent title was the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup Premiership. The union administers all club rugby within its boundaries, including the Gallaher Shield and other senior club rugby, as well as school rugby. Auckland also acts as a primary feeder to the Blues, who play in the Super Rugby competition.
Tasesa James Lavea is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer. He is of Samoan and Māori descent and heritage, and he coaches the 1st XV for Saint Kentigern College.
De La Salle College is an integrated Catholic secondary boys' school in the south of Auckland, New Zealand. Established in 1953 by the De La Salle Brothers, it continues to educate young men in the Catholic faith and Christian values. In New Zealand there are two schools along with De La Salle College established by the Brothers in New Zealand. Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth and John Paul College in Rotorua. Students are encouraged to develop every aspect of their person and a strong emphasis is placed on excellence in academic study, cultural pride and sporting ability. Applicants need to be willing to support the Catholic character of the College.
George Moala, is a professional rugby union player currently playing for Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14, having previously played in New Zealand for both Auckland and the Blues.
Lolagi Visinia is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a wing or fullback for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition.
Timothy Grant Perry is a retired New Zealand rugby union player who played as a prop for Tasman in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup, the Crusaders and the Blues in the international Super Rugby competition.
Nepo Eti Laulala is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who plays as a Tighthead Prop for Counties Manukau Steelers in the Mitre 10 Cup, the Blues in Super Rugby and for the national All Blacks, having made his international debut in 2015. He was a member of New Zealand's 2019 Rugby World Cup squad and has been a regular starter for New Zealand since 2017. Laulala has yet to score any points for New Zealand in his international career.
Sa Jordan Taufua is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a loose forward. He previously played for Tasman in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Crusaders in the international Super Rugby competition.
Jamie-Jerry Taulagi is a professional rugby union footballer of Samoan heritage. His usual position is fullback or wing. He has played for the Queensland Reds and Sunwolves teams in Super Rugby. He currently plays for Narbonne in the French Pro D2 competition.
Dan Pryor is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a loose forward for the San Diego Legion of Major League Rugby (MLR). He also plays for the Munakata Sanix Blues in the Japanese Top League.
Akira Ioane is a New Zealand rugby union player. Ioane plays blindside flanker and number 8 for the Auckland rugby union team in the Mitre 10 Cup, for the Blues in the Super Rugby competition and was selected for the All Blacks in 2017, having previously represented New Zealand internationally in Sevens and the Māori All Blacks.
Joshua K. Goodhue is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a lock for Northland in the Bunnings NPC and the Blues in the Super Rugby competition.
Caleb Daniel Clarke is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for the Blues in the Super Rugby competition. His position of choice is wing. Clarke made his international debut for New Zealand in 2020 and has since played five tests.
Folau Fakatava is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for the Highlanders in Super Rugby and Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition.
Danny Toala is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a midfield back or fullback for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition.
Zarn Sullivan is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a fullback or fly-half for the Blues in Super Rugby and for Auckland in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition.