The Blues to compete at Rugby World Club 10s

May 23 • General News, International, New Zealand • 2189 Views • Comments Off on The Blues to compete at Rugby World Club 10s

The Blues have accepted an invitation to attend the inaugural World Club 10s in Singapore this June.

The Blues will join Investec Super Rugby side the Brumbies and other elite professional clubs from around the world including the Cardiff Blues and Biarritz Olympique at this new showpiece tournament.

“We’re delighted to accept an invitation to participate in the inaugural World Club 10s tournament,” Blues Chief Executive Michael Redman said.

“We hope this tournament will develop into an important annual event that will strengthen our overall programme. It is an opportunity for Blues players to experience competition on another international stage along with other Super Rugby and leading world clubs.”

Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan said it was an exciting opportunity to promote the Blues brand internationally and further develop the squad.

“Playing at the World Club 10s along with many other prestigious international teams is exciting,” Kirwan said.

“Given it’s in the June Test window it won’t have an impact on our preparations for the rest of the season and it’s a great opportunity to give some of our guys a crack.”

The side will be coached by North Harbour head coach Steve Jackson who has led the Blues Development team to an undefeated season, and will feature Blues players not considered for the round 17 match against the Western Force in Perth on June 28.

“We certainly want to be in contention to win it and it’s great that Steve Jackson will lead the team after doing an outstanding job with the Blues Development squad this season,” Kirwan said.

The World Club 10s will be the first international sports event held at the new 55,000-seater National Stadium at the Singapore Sports Hub from 21-22 June.

The event will feature eight elite professional clubs from around the world. Already announced are the Brumbies, the Asia Pacific Dragons – an invitational squad of the fiercest players throughout Asia and the Pacific Islands, Biarritz Olympique, Welsh region Cardiff Blues and the Samoa national team, playing as the Samoa Water President’s 10.