"I have learned a tremendous lot over the last two seasons and would like to plough back what I have picked up," he said. "The game is different in the northern hemisphere and it was good to experience something of it, but I can't wait to pull on the Bulls jersey.

"I am a Blue Bull through and through, I've been playing for the Union since I was 12, and what we've got at Loftus is certainly something very special. The Bulls truly are a family and I undoubtedly missed that. I will be arriving in the country on Wednesday with my rugby boots and I am fit and eager to play."

Borthwick required treatment at a specialist eye hospital and has been ruled out for two to four weeks. Azam will appear before the disciplinary panel on October 6. He will be joined by team-mate Adam Eustace, who has been cited for stamping on Saracens scrum-half Justin Marshall during the same game and Bath wing Joe Maddock who has been cited for a dangerous tackle on Leicester Tigers' Geoff Parling.

Murphy underwent surgery after dislocating his shoulder in last weekend's draw against Bath and will likely miss their Heineken Cup group stages, with the club already without regulars Sam Vesty, Alesana Tuilagi and Toby Flood due to injuries.

Molitika is facing up to four months on the sidelines with a pectoral injury, while Rush is struggling with a dislocated finger. The Blues face Glasgow in the Magners League this weekend also shorn of centre Jamie Roberts, out with a minor neck injury, and open their Heineken Cup account against Harlequins on October 10.

"We're looking for someone who'd make an impact. The process is on," Young told The Western Mail. "It's obviously something we've got to look at. Whether we can afford it, I don't know. Also, there's a question over whether there's a player of quality out there."

Ace Malo, Ed Jenkins, Chris Walker, Jarrad Hoeata and Baydon Phillips all broke the team's alcohol rules after last weekend's loss to Waikato, Taranaki Rugby Union chief executive Mark Robinson told Newstalk ZB. They also face disciplinary proceedings.

Baker was also charged with allegedly threatening Johnson. Hamson's conduct towards Johnson was such that the second assistant referee, Bruce Dockary, felt it necessary to intervene. Both Hamson and Baker denied making the comments but NZRU judicial officer Bruce Squire was satisfied that both were guilty of misconduct.

Hamson was suspended from all rugby for three weeks and fined NZ$300, while Baker - who had used threatening words towards Johnson - was suspended from all rugby for eight weeks. Four weeks of the suspension have been deferred for a year, providing he does not commit further foul play or misconduct within that period.