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.
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.
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
Utter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
2 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
2 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to comments