All Blacks winger Rieko Ioane says the desire to see the Blues return to the top of Super Rugby was a key factor in his decision to remain with New Zealand Rugby as he signed a four-year deal.
Ioane, 21, and brother Akira both put pen to paper on new contracts with the elder Ioane recommitting to New Zealand Rugby for an extra three years.
However, with the Blues not having won Super Rugby since 2003, Ioane said that helping his boyhood club back to glory was a huge motivation in his decision to stay.
"We look forward to the challenge it brings," Ioane said.
"Being from Auckland, something that we hold dear to our hearts is taking our franchise, our city to places where it should be.
"We want to see it at the top, and hopefully if we're part of it it'll be something special."
Ioane also spoke about the prospect of turning down other New Zealand Super Rugby franchises.
"There's always going to be that temptation, but for me, the huge factor is being at home.
"I'm a proud Aucklander, and I just want to inspire the change that gets us to where we need to get to."
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