Blues Sign Kiwi Paterson

Hurricanes lock/blindside flanker Mike Paterson will sign a three-year deal with the Cardiff Blues, boosting the region ahead of the 2010/11 season. It’s thought Paterson had been on the cusp of the New Zealand squad to face Wales and Ireland next month.

Paterson will become the Blues 5^th New Zealand squad member, joining Ben Blair, Xavier Rush, Paul Tito and Casey Laulala in the Kiwi corner of Wales. However he will not count as a nWq player as he has no caps and has signed a 3 year deal which would see him qualify as Welsh on residency grounds.

Paterson said of the move,

"At the end of the day, I had to put a mark in the sand and I have just run with it. And now I am thoroughly looking forward to the opportunity of being over there with the New Zealand lads that are playing in Cardiff."

Though Paterson won't represent a huge coup for fans, it's the sort of signing which the Blues have based their recent success on, a hard working grafter who plays for the team. The news seems to have gone down well so far with posters on the messageboard;

‘Fair play, we asked for forward of note and it seems that we've got one!'
BlueButtyBoy

‘Great news for us. With Rush re-signing as well, I guess Thomas is finally sticking his hand in his pocket.'
JonnyBlues

The Blues will take Bradley Davies, Deiniol Jones, Paul Tito and Bryn Griffiths - a new signing from Doncaster - into next season as the main locks, and it's likely that Paterson too will play most of his rugby here.

The highly rated 25 year old will help add great depth to the squad, and his ability to cover two positions will make him a key asset. He also brings some youth to an otherwise aging back row - Martyn, Xav and Molly - and perhaps represents the next era long with Sam Warburton and Andries Pretorius.