The Blues have strengthened their future playmaking stocks by securing highly rated first five-eighth Cam Millar on a two-year contract ahead of the 2027 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.
The 24-year-old arrives in Auckland after spending four seasons with the Highlanders, where he established himself as one of New Zealand rugby’s most promising young pivots through his composed game management, accurate goal kicking and growing leadership on the field.
Millar’s signing continues the Blues’ strategy of investing in emerging talent as the club looks to build sustained success in the years ahead.
A graduate of Otago Boys’ High School, Millar has long been regarded as one of the South Island’s brightest rugby prospects.
His journey through the Highlanders system began in the franchise’s High Performance Programme before earning selection for the Highlanders Under-20 side in 2022.
His impressive performances at the national Under-20 tournament in Taupō resulted in selection for the New Zealand Under-20 team, where he featured in three matches during the side’s successful 2022 Oceania Under-20 Championship campaign in Australia.
Later that year, Millar continued his rise with an outstanding National Provincial Championship season for Otago, cementing his place as the province’s first-choice first five and earning his first opportunity at Super Rugby level.
He made his Super Rugby Pacific debut for the Highlanders against the Western Force in 2023 before securing a full professional contract the following season.
Across four seasons with the Dunedin-based franchise, Millar made 34 Super Rugby appearances, steadily building a reputation as a composed decision-maker capable of controlling matches with his tactical kicking and calm approach under pressure.
Speaking following the announcement, Millar said the move to Auckland represented an exciting new chapter in his rugby career.
He acknowledged the significant role the Highlanders and the Otago rugby community had played in his development and expressed gratitude for the opportunities he had received throughout his time in the south.
Millar said he was looking forward to learning from the experienced players and coaching staff at the Blues while contributing to the team’s future success.
Blues General Manager of Rugby Murray Williams described Millar as an outstanding addition to the squad.
Williams said the young first five had continued to improve with every season, demonstrating maturity beyond his years whenever called upon at Super Rugby level.
He highlighted Millar’s tactical kicking game, composure and ability to dictate the tempo of matches as qualities highly valued within the Blues environment.
Williams said those attributes are difficult to develop in young playmakers and made Millar an excellent fit for the club’s long-term plans.
The signing comes as Super Rugby franchises continue competing for emerging New Zealand talent ahead of the next World Cup cycle.
The first five-eighth position remains one of the most closely watched roles in New Zealand rugby, with franchises placing significant emphasis on developing players capable of eventually progressing to higher honours.
For the Blues, Millar’s arrival provides increased depth and competition in one of the team’s most influential positions while reinforcing the club’s commitment to building a squad capable of challenging for championships in the coming seasons.
As Millar prepares to relocate north ahead of the 2027 campaign, both the player and the Blues will be hoping the partnership marks the beginning of another successful chapter in one of New Zealand rugby’s most storied franchises.
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