With four All Blacks props on his books, coach Leon MacDonald faces a huge - welcome - dilemma over who will start in the Blues front row next season.
Already with Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi and Alex Hodgeman on the team, the Blues have added Nepo Laulala for the 2021 season, giving them four international props - five, including newly acquired Samoan international James Lay.
The Blues will also be without Beauden Barrett, playing a sabbatical year in Japan with Suntory Sungoliath.
The 29-year-old spent most of the season playing at fullback, with Otere Black preferred at first-five.
The loose forwards will also feature plenty of competition, with recent All Blacks Akira Ioane Dalton Papalii and Hoskins Sotutu, while Dillon Hunt has also represented New Zealand.
Ioane's strong form at blindside flanker during the Tri Nations could see him start over last year's preferred No.6 option, Tom Robinson.
Gains
While the Blues lose their All Blacks playmaker in Barrett, they gained two NZ internationals in the forward pack with Laulala and Hunt making the move north.
Laulala completed a star-studded propping department for the Blues, with Lay also in the mix to compete for a starting berth.
The Samoan international, who spent last season with Bristol Bears, is one of seven rookies in the Blues squad, which also includes loose forward Taine Plumtree, son of All Blacks assistant John Plumtree.
Other newbies include outside backs Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, AJ Lam, Jone Macilai-Tori and Zarn Sullivan, lock Sam Darry and hooker Soane Vikena.
Losses
The biggest loss to the Blues is Barrett, who has said 'sayonara' to New Zealand to spend the year in Japan. Also missing is Dan Carter, who joined the team last year as injury cover, but - ironically - a calf strain kept him off the field.
Matt Duffie has moved to Honda Heat, while England midfielder Joe Marchant returned home, after completing his loan spell in Auckland.
Hooker Kurt Eklund, who impressed on debut last year, returns as injury cover and has signed a two-year deal, which will come into effect in 2022.
One to watch
Highly touted Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens will be eager to make his mark, although he faces tough competition in the outside backs.
New All Black Caleb Clarke and Mark Telea both held down the wing positions well last season, but the arrival of Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Lam will give them a run for their money in 2021.
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens scored eight tries for Taranaki during the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup season, while he's also an NZ Sevens contracted player.
On top of that, he's also spent time with Newcastle Knights and Parramatta Eels NRL clubs.
All of this was achieved before he had graduated Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth.
Possible starting XV: Karl Tu'inukuafe, James Parsons, Nepo Laulala, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Patrick Tuipulotu, Akira Ioane, Dillon Hunt, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Otere Black, Caleb Clarke, TJ Faiane, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Zarn Sullivan
2021 Blues Squad:
Props: Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, James Lay*, Marcel Renata, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi
Hookers: Ray Niuia, James Parsons, Soane Vikena*
Locks: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Sam Darry*, Josh Goodhue, Jacob Pierce, Patrick Tuipulotu
Loose forwards: Blake Gibson, Dillon Hunt, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Taine Plumtree*, Tom Robinson, Hoskins Sotutu
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Jonathan Ruru
Inside backs: Otere Black, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer
Midfield: TJ Faiane, Rieko Ioane, Tanielu Tele’a
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam*, Jone Macilai-Tori*, Emoni Narawa, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens*, Zarn Sullivan*, Mark Telea
* New players.
