All Blacks performance analyst Alistair Rogers has been appointed Blues assistant coach.
Rogers, who has been with the All Blacks for seven years, was named Tana Umaga's assistant for the next two seasons at the Blues.
A former professional player, Rogers is keen to return to a fulltime coaching role, after guiding the Ballina Rugby Club in Ireland for 12 months, a stint as defence coach at Honda in Japan and a spell as Hurricanes assistant defence coach last year.
After covering opposition analysis preparation, presentations and reviews in the defence area for the All Blacks, the Welshman said the timing was right for a move.
"Over the last few years I have been growing my experience," Rogers said.
"I have had the fortune of working with some of the world's best coaches, helping me gain a great wealth of knowledge, not only about the game but about how a top performing team operates and in turn the high standards to which I hold myself."
Umaga said the appointment of Rogers is a significant step for the club's future development.
"Alistair is at the forefront of development in a critically important part of the game at the highest level," said Umaga.
"He is highly thought of by the All Blacks coaches and players alike and I'm absolutely thrilled he is coming to a fulltime coaching position with us."
Rogers, who will focus on defence at the Blues, joins forwards coach Glenn Moore.
He will take up his position following this year's Rugby World Cup.
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