The Blues have changed captains to Jerome Kaino with 10 All Blacks in their squad but most will start the season late. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Each Super 15 squad is back in training and practising their public relations drills for the next season.
The Crusaders have a charity cricket match this weekend to raise money for cystic fibrosis while the Chiefs are helping families in need of support after relatives have been rushed to hospital.
The Blues are planning a five-day training camp and interaction with Northland fans but are shedding another of the crew who complemented John Kirwan's coaching team in the last two seasons.
Graham Henry, Mick Byrne, Wally Rifle, Bryce Anderson and Andy Dalton have eased out of the set-up and now the 1967 Fiat Bambina, driven by the squad member who made the biggest gaffe each week, is being sent packing.
Perhaps there's a reason the Blues are ditching the car with the yellow paint job and blue-flamed bonnet; it was becoming too much of a metaphor for the team.
