Blues new captains for 2019

Auckland: The Blues coaching group, led by new head coach Leon MacDonald, have confirmed shared captaincy for the upcoming 2019 season. Co-Captains Blake Gibson and Patrick Tuipulotu will share the role of leading the Blues team for the upcoming Investec Super Rugby season.

The pair have proven captaincy experience with Auckland in the Mitre 10 Cup, having recently led the province to a Premiership crown in 2018. MacDonald sees value in having the captaincy shared by two players with proven leadership success and who the club holds in high regard.

“It is a real benefit to have two players of this calibre who are from our region and are so committed to the club and the people we represent,” MacDonald said. “Blake and Patrick, together with all our 2019 squad and management group, are hungry for success and these two will get the team following them both on and off the field.”

Gibson, 23, – a former NZ U20s standout – is entering his fourth season with the team after making his debut in 2015. Tuipulotu made his Blues debut against the Highlanders in 2014 and has gone on to play 53 times for the club. At just 25 years old, Patrick is a senior Blues player and was one of the form players on the recent All Blacks end of year tour.

“Both Blake and Patrick are hungry to lead the Blues to success in 2019 and we are excited by the strong values, skills and experience they bring to the group,” said MacDonald.

Patrick and his fellow All Blacks team members are currently on leave following the Northern Tour whilst the rest of the 2019 Blues squad are into their second week of preseason training.

The Blues open the 2019 Super Rugby season against the Crusadersat Eden Park on February 16.