Blues inject youth into experienced core for 2024

Blues Head Coach Vern Cotter can’t wait to take a “look under the hood” of his 2024 squad, naming an experienced core with a smattering of young talent in his list of 38 players for the upcoming DHL Super Rugby season.

The squad features five new forwards in Josh Beehre, Laghlan McWhannell, PJ Sheck and James Thompson, while Angus Ta’avao also returns to the Blues after stints at the Waratahs and Chiefs.

In the backs, there’s four new faces in Kade Banks, Lucas Cashmore, Cole Forbes and Meihana Grindlay.

The rest of the Blues squad will be familiar to fans with a total of 11 former or current All Blacks in the mix with a prodigious amount of Super Rugby experience blended in.

Head Coach Vern Cotter said he is eager to get stuck into pre-season training with the squad later this month.

“Nothing beats the start of a new season; I’m looking forward to getting the guys in and taking a look under the hood. We’ve done plenty of planning and preparation in the background and now we’re ready to rip into it on the grass,” said Cotter.

“We’ve got a wealth of Super Rugby experience in this squad, players who have been there and done the business for several seasons. I’m excited for what 2024 holds and if we can get on the same page as a collective, we should be competing at the pointy end of the season.”

Included in Cotter’s 2024 squad are two new locks, Beehre and McWhannell, who join Sam Darry and experienced head Patrick Tuipulotu in the middle of the scrum.

“Having someone like Patrick there will be invaluable for those younger guys. They have shown plenty of promise to-date and if they can learn and develop under the watchful eye of Patty, I’m sure they will continue to grow into quality locks.”

 Blues GM of Rugby, Josh Blackie, said the squad is a solid balance of proven performers and exciting young talent.

“We’ve got a focus on developing talent in our system here at the Blues and we use stats and data to back up the potential we see on the park. For instance, we know that forwards mature later than backs do, therefore we need to put time into our young forwards to reap the rewards down the track for the club.”

Meanwhile hooker, Kurt Eklund, said he is coming into pre-season with focus and determination.

“Last season showed me that nothing can be taken for granted and I’m ready for an intense pre-season with my team mates and push for selection next year. I’m in a competitive position and we have two other guys gunning for that starting spot. But equally we want to help each other, hone our craft as hookers and support whoever is out on the park.”