Fullback Payton Spencer, son of Blues legend Carlos, comes to the Blues after playing for the All Blacks Sevens side. 

Spencer is the latest in a growing list of next-generation Blues players, with Caleb Clarke (son of Eroni) and Hoskins Sotutu (son of Waisake) two other current Blues players following in their father’s footsteps at the club. 

“I think we’ll start ahead of where we were last season, we can take the results and experience gained last time round and build on it this year, ” said Cotter.

“I’m looking forward to getting in with everyone, reconnecting and getting back to work. It will be good to get to know the new squad members and see what they’re all about.” 

Cotter has a simple message for those new squad members coming in for pre-season.

“I want enthusiasm and for them to put their hand up,” he said.

“I enjoyed watching NPC this season and seeing the younger guys stepping up. Now it’s their time to come into the Blues and start pushing for spots.”

Props: Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Marcel Renata, Jordan Lay, Joshua Fusitu’a, PJ Sheck, Ben Ake

Hookers: Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, James Mullan

Locks: Laghlan McWhannell, Cameron Christie, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre

Loose forwards: Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Che Clark

Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki

First five-eighths: Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer, Beauden Barrett

Midfielders: Xavi Taele, Corey Evans, Meihana Grindlay, Rieko Ioane

Outside backs: Zarn Sullivan, Mark Tele’a, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Payton Spencer, Reon Paul, Cole Forbes

In: Ake, Christie, Clark, Barrett, Taele, Spencer, Paul

Out: Soane Vikena, James Thompson, Akira Ioane, Rob Rush, Lucas Cashmore, Bryce Heem, Kade Banks, Caleb Tangitau

Key retentions for the southerners include Folau Fakatava, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Ethan de Groot and Hugh Renton while tighthead prop Sosefo Kautai, loosehead prop Josh Bartlett and hooker Soane Vikena bolster the front row stocks.

Sevens and Under 20s representative Caleb Tangitau joins from the Blues.

“We have a squad full of talented and motivated players, and we know that the fans in Dunedin and across the region are looking forward to seeing this team grow and perform on the field.

“This region has a proud rugby history, and it’s our responsibility to make sure we honour that by playing with passion and commitment. We’re not just developing players on the field, but also people who represent the values of this community,” said Joseph.

Props: Ethan de Groot, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Bartlett, Saula Ma'u, Rohan Wingham, Sosefo Kautai

Hookers: Soane Vikena, Jack Taylor, Henry Bell

Locks: Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, Oliver Haig

Loose forwards: Will Stodart, Sean Withy, TK Howden, Hayden Michaels, Nikora Broughton, Hugh Renton, Lui Naeata, Veveni Lasaqa

Halfbacks: Folau Fakatava, James Arscott, Nathan Hastie

First five-eighths: Cameron Millar, Ajay Faleafaga, Taine Robinson

Midfielders: Jake Te Hiwi, Josh Whaanga, Tanielu Tele'a, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Sam Gilbert

Outside backs:Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Michael Manson, Finn Hurley, Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau

In: Vikena, Kautai, Wingham, Bartlett, Stodart, Howden, Naeata, Lasaqa, Robinson, Whaanga, Manson, Hurley, Tangitau

Out: Jermaine Ainsley, Ayden Johnstone, Ricky Jackson, Will Tucker, Pari Pari Parkinson, Max Hicks, Billy Harmon, Tom Sanders, Rhys Patchell, Josh Timu, Martin Bogado

The team have made 14 new signings which includes players who have been elevated to full-time contracts.

"It's exciting, we've got a new group of players and a new group of staff coming on board in 2025 for Moana Pasifika. I think the caliber of all these people is going to lift Moana Pasifika from where we've been," Umaga said.  

"The likes of Ardie Savea, Pone Fa'amausili, Solomon Alaimalo, Jackson Garden-Bachop. These guys who are experienced in Super Rugby will add to the experience we've already got that took us to where we got to last year."

Speedster Solomon Alaimalo makes his return to rugby union, joining the team after a stint with the Wests Tigers in the NRL.  

The winger was born in Auckland and grew up in Canterbury. He made 47 appearances for the Chiefs before playing a short stint with the Highlanders.  

Props: Chris Apoua, Pone Fa'amausili, James Lay, Sione Mafileo, Abraham Pole, Tito Tuipulotu

Hookers: Tomasi Maka, Sama Malolo, Samiuela Moli

Locks: Allan Craig, Michael Curry, Samuel Slade, Tom Savage, Ofa Tauatevalu, Ola Tauelangi

Loose forwards: Miracle Faiilagi, Sione Havili Talitui, Lotu Inisi, Alamanda Motuga, Semisi Paea, Irie Papuni, Ardie Savea

Halfbacks: Aisea Halo, Melani Matavao, Jonathan Taumateine

First five-eighths: Jackson Garden-Bachop, William Havili, Patrick Pellegrini

Midfielders: Solomon Alaimalo, Fine Inisi, Laomilo Laomilo, Julian Savea

Outside backs: Losi Filipo, Neria Fomai, Pepesana Patafilo, Kyren Taumoefolau, Danny Toala, Tuna Tuitama

Ins: Alaimalo, Apoua, Filipo, Garden-Bachop, Pellegrini, Fa'amausili, Savea, Tuipulotu, Tuitama

Outs: Donald Brighthouse, Suetena Asomua, Ereatara Enari, Viliami Fine, Solomone Funaki, Sekope Kepu, Sateki Latu, D’Angelo Leuila, Christian Lealiifano, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Nigel Ah Wong, Otumaka Mausia, Henry Taefu, Viliami Napa’a, Anzelo Tuitavuki

Despite rumours of a potential code-swap to the NRL, Shaun Stevenson has been named in the Chiefs' squad for 2025.

A player who has made the switch to the 13-man code is Tyrone Thomspon who has joined his twin brother Leo at the Newcastle Knights.

All Blacks XV and Crusaders hooker Brodie McAlister and Brumbies loose forward Jahrome Brown are two of just five new additions for the beaten 2024 finalists.

“I’m a big believer in cohesion. So, having guys that have played together for a while and experienced the highs and lows together. 

"They learn and then create opportunities in the new season to put those learnings into practice and go one step further,” said McMillan.

Props: Sione Ahio, George Dyer, Ollie Norris, Reuben O'Neill, Jared Proffit, Aidan Ross

Hookers: Brodie McAlister, Bradley Slater, Samisoni Taukei'aho

Locks: Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Fiti Sa, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Jimmy Tupou, Tupou Vaa'i

Loose forwards: Kaylum Boshier, Jahrome Brown, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (captain), Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi, Malachi Wrampling

Halfbacks: Cortez Ratima, Xavier Roe, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi

First five-eighths: Josh Jacomb, Damian McKenzie, Kaleb Trask

Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Gideon Wrampling

Outside backs: Leroy Carter, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson

In: McAlister, Sa, Brown, Carter, Jacomb

Out: Kauvaka Kaivelata, Tyrone Thompson, Tom Florence, Josh Ioane, Peniasi Malimali