Former Hurricanes hooker Ricky Riccitelli has signed with the Blues on a two-year Super Rugby deal.
The 26-year-old will make the move north, on a deal that will see him with the Auckland-based franchise until the end of the 2024 season.
The shift should open up a clearer pathway to playing time for the former NZ U20 representative, who's struggled to earn consistent minutes in competition with All Blacks hookers Dane Coles and Asafo Aumua in the capital.
After 71 games for the Hurricanes, Riccitelli hopes more regular gametime will help him return to the form that saw him called into the All Blacks squad as an injury replacement in 2018.
"I am looking forward to the opportunity to earn some gametime, as there are goals that I still want to achieve in New Zealand," says Riccitelli. "I’ll be putting my best foot forward to achieve these and do my best for the club.
"The facilities at the Blues are impressive, and I am well aligned with Leon [MacDonald] and Tom Coventry, and really excited about the challenges ahead."
Riccitelli's main rivals in Auckland will be Kurt Eklund, Leni Apisai and rising talent Soane Vikena, none of whom have staked a permanent claim on the Blues No.2 jersey.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald says the South African-born front-rower - who'll again feature for Taranaki in the upcoming national provincial championship - will undoubtedly be an asset to his squad.
"We were looking for a quality hooker with experience to bolster our ranks, alongside Kurt Eklund and to help the development of Soane Vikena," says MacDonald.
"The Blues need depth in what is a critical position. Ricky can do his core job of throwing to lineout and scrummaging well, but is also powerful with ball-in-hand and on defence.
"Most of all, he is a quality individual, who will definitely fit into the 'Blue Pride' ethos we are developing here at our club."
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