Super Rugby
NZ Rugby blocks Piutau from Blues in 2016
ESPN Staff
May 19, 2015
Charles Piutau won't turn out for the Blues in 2016 © Getty Images
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All Blacks fullback Charles Piutau won't be permitted to play for the Blues next year before leaving for Northern Ireland.

Piutau will begin a two-year contract with Ulster midway through 2016 and was hopeful of turning out for the Blues for about three months before departing. However, a New Zealand Herald report says New Zealand Rugby has denied the opportunity to the 23-year-old, applying its regulation that Super Rugby players must available for All Blacks Test duty.

Disappointed Blues chief executive Michael Redman said he had accepted the ruling.

"Our rationale was that Charles might have been with us for 11 weeks, which would have been better than zero," he said. "We accept the reasons for declining that. In many ways it comes down to the fact he wouldn't be available for the full season."

Piutau is still available for the All Blacks this year and is a contender for an outside backs berth at the World Cup. The 14-Test veteran has been sidelined for three weeks with a knee injury but is reportedly nearly ready to return.

© AAP

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