Rush will take the skipper's armband from Rhys Williams

The 29-year-old All Blacks number eight - who joined from Auckland last year - will take over from Rhys Williams.

Wales international full-back cum wing Williams endured a miserable 2005/6, losing his national squad place and even his Blues spot late in the year.

The Blues have released USA captain Kort Schubert, ex-Wales Under-21 backs Matthew Nutthall and Tristan Davies, and utility back Roger Warren.

James Malpas and Nathan Llewellyn have also left the Cardiff region.

But Ross Johnson, Rhys Gill, Adam Powell and Dai Flanagan have all been given academy contracts.

TRANSFER STORIES Prop Jones joins Swansea Blues sign Kiwi full-back Blair Morgan leaves/Filise joins Early exit for Lomu Sharks sign Evans and Thomas Injury forces Quinnell to retire Worcester sign Powell Blues swoop for Gloucester prop

In: Taufa'ao Filise (Bath), Gary Powell (Gloucester), Ben Blair (Canterbury), Scott Morgan (Leeds Tykes), Mosese Luveitasau (Rosi RFC, Naitasiri), Duane Goodfield (Pontypridd), Wayne Evans (Pontypridd), Bradley Davies, Scott Roberts, Tom Riley, Dafydd Hewitt (all development contracts), Ross Johnson, Rhys Gill, Adam Powell, Dai Flanagan (all academy contracts)