The Blues will kick off their 2016 Super Rugby season with a free admission game in Pakuranga next month.

They will play the Melbourne Rebels in their first pre-season match at the Pakuranga Rugby Club on Thursday 4 February, the Blues announced today.

The Blues are pleased to reach out to the Auckland community with free entry for the game.

“The communities in Auckland and Northland are our lifeblood and we want to continue to increase our work in our rugby communities,” said Blues Community & Brand Manager, Robyn Rowley.

“Last year we brought back curtain raisers involving local college rugby, which we will continue this year. And when it allowed, the team also trained at some schools.

“This year we had the opportunity for a home pre-season game which is an ideal chance to give back a little to the community with free entry.”

The Pakuranga Rugby Club is thrilled to host the game.

“It is exciting for the club and especially for the east Auckland community,” said club manager Stephen Hackett.

“It’s great to have the opportunity to host the Blues in its roots. It is an opportunity for our members and the fans out here to get in behind the match and for them to meet the Blues.”

Hackett said the Pakuranga club has taken significant strides both on and off the field in the last five years and the opportunity to host a game of this magnitude is reward for a community that has really backed rugby.

The match will kick off at 5.30pm with further details about the match and entertainment to follow.

The Blues other pre-season games will be away against the Hurricanes at Eketahuna on Saturday 13 February and the Chiefs at Pukekohe on Friday 19 February, a week ahead of the season kick-off when they host the 2015 Super Rugby champions, the Highlanders at Eden Park.

There are new options for True Blue Members this year. In addition to the eight-game season passes, fans can opt for a Flexi-Plan package and pick the games that suit you best. All other benefits, including free rides on trains and special event buses for all games, can be viewed by going to www.trueblues.co.nz