Opposing teams will be gunning for a piece of you so expect a constant target on your back like John Wick on excommunicado with no head start.  This is one of many challenges a champion team must overcome in a new season.   It’s also the reality the Blues face when they begin their campaign against the Chiefs in their Super Rugby Pacific opener in 2025.  Can Patrick Tuipulotu’s men assure the Auckland faithful a second consecutive title is possible when fans descend upon Eden Park on February 15th?  How much of a loss are Akira Ioane and Bryce Heem to the team?  Should Blues fans be excited about the recruits?  Can Joseph Suaalii make the NSW Waratahs relevant since Matt Rogers and Lote Tuqiri?  Except for the last question, which may be answered during opening week, here is my attempt to give answers before the season kicks off.  Happy Christmas.

Captain Tuipulotu can be assured of an almost intact squad from last year’s championship run.  The backline will be bolstered by returning First Five Beauden Barrett from sabbatical who only shuffles across the already stacked spine of Stephen Perofeta, Zarn Sullivan, Harry Plumber who leaves at season end, and last year's injury super sub Cole Forbes.  Without Heem the midfield will adjust with Reiko, AJ Lam, or Bay Of Plenty standout utility Reon Paul while Plumber and Sullivan could fill in if need be.  Lam has become solid in the mid-field and his experience over the last 3 years has seen improvement each season.  Leading Loose Forwards will absorb the loss of Akira, such as top try scorer Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, and Auckland Rugby stalwart Adrian Chote with Mr Beerfest Anton Segner coming off the bench.

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The Blues are also protecting their future, with the next generation of players coming through, like NZ Sevens star Che Clark and son of Blues legend King Carlos, Payton Spencer.  The young Hamilton Boys High star Spencer will be the most intriguing noob in Blue this season but don’t expect a lot of game time with a healthy backline, maybe a spot on the bench up against a wooden spooner.  This will also be the case for the young recruits with five of this year's NZ U20 representatives including Cam Christie and Xavi Taele competing for game time.  Coach Vern Cotter will nurture his young guns with care during his tenure of a two-year contract that ends after 2026.

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On paper, the team is as strong as ever after the days of looking strong on the same bit of paper meant the bottom 8 on the table.  The Blues played on the wrong channel for 20 years before Leon McDonald found the remote between the couch cushions.  Now Cotter is here with his international pedigree, a great compliment to what Rangi has begun.  The ingredients for back-to-back are prepped and ready for the Super Rugby Pacific Season, the talent, championship experience, and a quality coaching staff are there for the mix.  Cotter told the NZ Herald “We Know backing up titles is really hard…” Cotter is correct, but we won’t say anything to Scott Robertson.