Blues sign former New Zealand Sevens player Bryce Heem

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The Blues announced Heem's signing on Wednesday. A former Chiefs player, he has also played for Auckland, Northland and Tasman in provincial rugby.

He comes to the Blues after he was granted an early release by French club Toulon to return to New Zealand for family reasons.

Although he wasn't intending to play while based in Auckland with his family, he made contact with Blues coach Leon MacDonald, who was his coach at Tasman for three seasons.

The Blues had signed Argentine player Santiago Chocobares but he was unable to complete the required arrangements by the start of the season.

"We were looking forward to Santiago joining us, but it proved too difficult to get him here," MacDonald said.

"Bryce is a quality player, and a quality bloke, who has been an excellent overseas professional in Europe. He will be an invaluable asset for us this season.

"He played centre and wing for us at Tasman, and was superb both on, and off, the field. His Sevens background means his work rate is excellent and he's very quick and a big body. His recent form in France was impressive," he said.

It was Heem's form for Tasman that resulted in his Super Rugby contract with the Chiefs in 2015.

During his Sevens career, between 2011-14, he shared three World Series titles and a silver medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

After his season with the Chiefs, he took up a contract with Worcester in England's Premiership. In 70 games he scored 32 tries. He moved to Toulon in 2019, playing 25 games and scoring six tries.

He will join the side after completing managed isolation with his wife and daughter.