Blues re-sign four key players ahead of Super Rugby Pacific
The Blues have re-signed four key players as they look to clinch back-to-back titles in next year’s inaugural Super Rugby Pacific.
The Super Rugby Trans-Tasman champions have secured lock Josh Goodhue and first-five Stephen Perofeta for an extra year, while utility forward Tom Robinson and playmaker Harry Plummer have re-signed until 2023.
By keeping both Plummer and Perfoeta onboard, the Blues remain well-equipped at first-five with All Blacks star Beauden Barrett set to return to the franchise next year after his season-long sabbatical with Suntory Sungoliath in Japan.
The presence of the trio will offset the departure of Otere Black to the Shining Arcs in the Top League, a move that means Plummer and Perofeta are expected to play prominent back-up roles to Barrett.
A former New Zealand Schools and New Zealand U20 representative, Plummer is the most experienced of the re-signed quartet, having played in every Super Rugby match for the Blues in his three seasons at the franchise.
That statistic is indicative that Plummer will continue to feature strongly for the Blues, although he is likely to face strong competition from Perofeta, who debuted for the Blues against the Reds in Samoa as a teenager in 2017.
The former schoolboy star, who played for Whanganui and the Heartland XV while still in Year 13, then started in the Blues’ famous win over the British and Irish Lions before going on to help New Zealand win the World U20 Championship in Georgia, all in the space of a few weeks.
Since then, Perofeta has accrued 30 caps for the Blues as a first-five or fullback, with injury halting his development in recent times.
Robinson, meanwhile, has been tipped to break into the All Blacks squad in two of the past three years due to his high-energy showings for the Blues, either as a lock or at blindside flanker, but injuries have derailed his test prospects.
Nevertheless, the 27-year-old remains an option for higher honours if he can get the most out of himself over the course of the next two years.
Goodhue, meanwhile, is the twin brother of injured All Blacks midfielder Jack, and has been a crucial figure in the Blues set-up since his debut against the Hurricanes four years ago.
A regular of the match day squad, Goodhue has chalked up 38 appearances for the franchise in that timeframe and will look to notch his 50th cap by the end of next season.
With fans flocking ban to Principality Stadium, the All Blacks will have a major challenge on their hands this weekend – even if Wales will be missing some key players. #AllBlacks #WALvNZLhttps://t.co/Q4ISSkam1r
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 26, 2021
The absence of All Blacks second rower Patrick Tuipulotu, who has joined Toyota Verblitz on a season-long sabbatical, from next year’s Blues squad adds importance to the retention of both Robinson and Goodhue.
Blues head coach Leon MacDonald said he was “delighted” that the franchise has been able to retain the quartet, which he described as “vital” to his side’s chances of success.
“These four players are all incredibly important for our team on and off the field,” said coach Leon MacDonald.
“They are still young but now experienced Super Rugby players with a significant number of games under their belts.
“They are now seniors who will continue to have a growing influence on this team as players and as leaders.
“They go about their business in such a professional manner. They are a vital cog in the Blues machine and I am delighted they have all decided to extend their stay.”
The re-signings of Plummer, Perofeta, Robinson and Goodhue come a matter of days after it was announced that All Blacks props Karl Tu’inukuafe and Alex Hodgman had also signed contract extensions with the Blues.
2021-22 Blues transfers
In: Beauden Barrett (Suntory Sungoliath), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand Warriors), Ricky Riccitelli (Hurricanes)
Out: Patrick Tuipulotu (Toyota Verblitz), Otere Black (NTT Communications Shining Arcs), TJ Faiane (Hino Red Dolphins), Gerard Cowley-Tuioti (Kobelco Steelers), Blake Gibson (Hurricanes), Ray Niuia (released), Jacob Pierce (Toshiba Brave Lupus)
Comments on RugbyPass
Steve Borthwick deserves credit for releasing the shackles on his England side and letting them play in a manner that somewhat resembles the top sides in the Gallagher Premiership. Will they revert to type in New Zealand in July.?
27 Go to commentsJames Lowe wouldn't get in any other 6N team. He's a great example of Farrell’s brilliance, and the Irish system. He is slow. His footwork is poor. But he fits perfectly in that Irish system, and has a superb impact. But put him in another team, and he'll look bang average.
4 Go to commentsCrusaders reached their heights through recruitment of North Island players, often leaving those NI teams bereft of key players. Example: Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock robbed the Canes of their lineout and AB locks. For years the Canes have struggled at lock. This rabid recruitment was iniated by rule changes by a Crusader dominated NZR Head Office. Now this aggressive recruitment has back-fired, going after young inside back Hamilton Boys stars. They now have 4 Chiefs region 10s and not one with the requisite experience at Super level. Problems of their own making!
2 Go to commentsOver rated for a long time…exposed at scrum time too.
3 Go to comments“Firing me” should have been Gatland’s answer.
2 Go to commentsFinn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
3 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
4 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
27 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
19 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
3 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
3 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
27 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
27 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
27 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to comments