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Blues linked with surprise No. 10 signing - and it's not Beauden Barrett
New Zealand-born Sunwolves first-five Hayden Parker is the next playmaker on the wish list of the Blues, according to the New Zealand Herald.
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Parker, a former Highlander, moved to Japan to play for the Panasonic Wild Knights and then the Kobe Steelers in the Top League before linking up with long-time mentors Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown at the Sunwolves last season.
Kobe still have Parker signed on for another season, but the Herald understands that the club, which also has ex-All Blacks legend Dan Carter on its books, will be bringing in another Kiwi playmaker in the form of Montpellier star Aaron Cruden for two years, which could be extended to a four-year deal.
The 30-year-old is expected to move to Japan from France in July, which could push Parker – who won’t play for the Sunwolves regardless of Cruden’s imminent arrival due to a clash in scheduling between the Top League and Super Rugby as a result of this year’s World Cup – out of Japan completely.
Consequently, Parker’s predicament has piqued the interest of the Blues, who are in the midst of chasing two-time World Player of the Year, Beauden Barrett, whose contract with New Zealand Rugby and the Hurricanes runs out at the end of the year.
Parker, who has improved exponentially since arriving in Japan full-time at the end of 2017, would play an important role with the Blues if he was to re-locate to Auckland.
Even if the three-time Super Rugby champions did acquire the services of Barrett, it’s unlikely he would play for the Blues until 2021 given that he will probably take a sabbatical in Japan for the entirety of the 2020 campaign.
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Parker, who set a Super Rugby record 38 consecutive kicks at goal over the last two seasons, told Stuff in April that he would like to return to New Zealand, but had a preference to go back to the Highlanders, the side he debuted for in 2013.
“I would love to [come home]. But I just don’t know if it will all work out,” he said at the time.
The Highlanders won’t have room to welcome back their former playmaker, however, as youngsters Josh Ioane and Bryn Gatland will return to the franchise, while Crusaders pivot Mitch Hunt will replace departing cult hero Marty Banks.
As it stands, the Blues currently have three first-fives in their ranks.
22-year-old Stephen Perofeta has the most promise of the trio, but didn’t play at all this season due to a chest injury.
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21-year-old Harry Plummer shared the starting duties with 24-year-old Otere Black, but neither set the world alight as the Blues succumbed to a seventh consecutive season without finals football to finish in 13th spot with five wins from 16 outings.
Their lack of success highlighted the Blues’ need for a talented, experienced first-five, with 28-year-old duo Barrett and Parker both fitting the bill.
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The widely expected departures of veteran midfielders Sonny Bill Williams and Ma’a Nonu could also play a key role in the make-up of the franchise’s first-five merry-go-round as well.
Although Plummer’s inexperience and under-par goal-kicking was exposed in his debut Super Rugby season, his bravery, commitment and glimpses of a solid attacking game were all evident at various points throughout the season, and a shift out to second-five, where he has played for the New Zealand U20 side, could be on the cards next year.
That would help plug the gap left by Williams and Nonu, while freeing up a space at first-five for Parker while Barrett pursues his stint in Japanese club rugby.
Blues chairman Don Mackinnon recently told Newshub: “We need leaders, no doubt about that. I’m unashamedly going to encourage the organisation to look for talent outside of the region.”
That sentiment bodes well for those wishing for Parker to turn out in a Blues jersey next year, while former All Blacks coach and current Blues board member, John Hart, is an admirer of the playmaker’s ability.
Hart suggested Parker, who is uncapped at test level, could be an unlikely candidate to fill the void in the All Blacks’ World Cup squad left by Damian McKenzie following his season-ending knee injury in April.
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“He is experienced and one of the best goalkickers around, and brave,” Hart told Radio Sport in April.
“He is a bit more experienced, and you need experience in the World Cup.”
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Pretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
3 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
3 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
3 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to comments