Rugby: TJ Faiane's super Auckland form set to be rewarded by Blues

Auckland captain TJ Faiane celebrates winning the Premiership. Photo / Photosport

The presence of midfielder TJ Faiane's name in the Blues squad when it's announced on Wednesday morning probably won't raise too many eyebrows given his recent form in leading Auckland to Mitre 10 Cup glory.

Another reason for the potential lack of fanfare will be the fact Faiane has been a Blues squad member for two years, playing seven games in 2017 and eight last year, but the truth of it is the 23-year-old was probably drifting out of Tana Umaga's thinking for next year until his performances in the blue and white hoops.

Along with his No8 teammate Akira Ioane, Faiane was one of the most influential players in this year's competition and his leadership and intervention in setting up a try for fellow midfielder Tumua Manu with a quick penalty tap was a major reason why Auckland beat Canterbury in the dramatic extra-time final at Eden Park.

Until that try late in the first half Auckland had hardly fired a shot on attack but the seven-pointer gave them something to build on and build on it they certainly did, a 26-all scoreline after 80 minutes progressing to a famous 40-33 victory after extra-time.

Faiane was Auckland coach Alama Ieremia's third choice as captain behind Blake Gibson and Patrick Tuipulotu, but the former's injury, and latter's All Blacks call-up, handed Faiane an opportunity that he didn't squander.

He has apparently made big shifts in terms of his approach to the game and life in general and his reward will be a place in the Blues squad alongside midfield stars Sonny Bill Williams and Ma'a Nonu.

"This leader sitting next to me deserves a lot of credit for obviously tactically trusting the systems but then also leading by example," Ieremia said of Faiane after Auckland's first national provincial championship title win since 2007. "When there were no forwards, he carried. When there were no forwards to clean [rucks], he cleaned. He's been playing like that all year."

Of Faiane's inspiration to take a quick tap, beat several Canterbury defenders and put Manu in under the posts, Ieremia said: "It took a captain to stand up and show the way and I suppose that's what captains do. It was just enough to get us in the game."

Faiane and about 15 of his Auckland teammates will be named in the Blues' squad of 38 on Wednesday, with the Hurricanes likely to announce the signing of Auckland's exciting outside back Salesi Rayasi, as already reported by the Herald.

There are unlikely to be any surprises in the Blues' squad, with the high-profile signings of Nonu and All Blacks loosehead prop Karl Tu'inukuafe already announced, but there may be some interest in two of the draft prospects – Tasman players Levi Aumua and Jed Brown.

Aumua is a battering ram of a midfielder who weighs 118kg. Brown is a specialist openside flanker. Both will be named in the squad provided they don't get picked up on a full contract by another New Zealand franchise. All of New Zealand's Super Rugby squads will be announced on Wednesday.

Aumua, 24, has been on the Chiefs' books but never played a match for them and the same applied to Brown, 27, at the Crusaders.