NZ U20 trio handed Super Rugby contracts with the Blues

The Blues have continued to invest in youth for 2019 and beyond after announcing that three members of the New Zealand Under-20s rugby team will play for the club in Super Rugby next year.

Harry Plummer, Tanielu Tele’a and Hoskins Sotutu, among the seven players from the Blues region in the New Zealand Under-20 side, have signed two-year contracts with the Blues.

The trio head to France today with the New Zealand team for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship that kicks off next week.

They were among five young players from the Blues region who spent 10 weeks with the club as part of the Interim Player Contract (ITC) scheme and impressed sufficiently to earn full contracts from 2019.

Plummer, who plays first or second five-eighth, had three caps for Auckland last year and also represented New Zealand Schools.

“I’ve grown up playing here and I’ve gone through all the age groups from 16s with the Blues. I love the region, it is where my home is and I am really excited to put on a Blues jersey,” said Harry. “I am grateful for the experience I am going to get on the playing field and off it.”

Sotutu, son of former Blues star Waisake Sotutu, is a New Zealand Schools rep and was called into the Auckland provincial side last year. He played for the Blues in their win in the Brisbane Global 10s.

“My dad played for this club. For me it is home. I grew up wanting to play for the Blues. It was quite intimidating at first with the big names but I got to know them and they are great.”

Tele’a, a midfield or outside back, was formerly captain of Saint Kentigern 1stXV, a member of New Zealand Schools and also in the winning Blues 10s side.

“We got a chance to understand what it takes in the ITC. Learning off these guys is the first thing and then see what I can add after that. It is going to take a lot of hard work.”

Story via theblues.co.nz