First five Otere Black one of four players to part ways with the Blues following Super Rugby Trans-Tasman win
Four long-term stalwarts of the Blues have finished their careers with the Auckland franchise following Saturday night’s 23-15 win over the Highlanders.
Following the victory, head coach Leon MacDonald confirmed the Blues will have to make do without first five Otere Black, flanker Blake Gibson, lock Gerard Cowley-Tuioti and midfielder TJ Faiane in 2022, with the quartet all signing off on their Blues tenures on a high.
Black is perhaps the highest-profile departee, with the former Bay of Plenty fly-half heading to Japan ahead of next season’s revamped Top League.
Black joined the Blues in 2018 after three years with the Hurricanes – ostensibly to get out from underneath Beauden Barrett’s shadow and make a name for himself as a starting fly-half.
The 26-year-old wasn’t able to take the field in his first season with the Blues, however, after rupturing his ACL during the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup.
Black has become a semi-permanent fixture in the Blues No 10 jersey since making his debut in 2019, chalking up 40 appearances over three seasons and guiding the team to the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title on Saturday evening.
With Beauden Barrett set to return to the organisation next year, Zarn Sullivan establishing himself as first-choice fullback and NRL star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck joining the franchise, Black has understandably decided that minutes could be hard to come by in the future.
Joining Black in Japan will be Cowley-Tuioti and Faiane.
29-year-old Cowley Tuioti has represented the Blues for six seasons and is rumoured to be taking Brodie Retallick’s spot at Wayne Smith’s Kobelco Steelers. Former All Blacks hooker James Parsons recently suggested that the second-rower could be due an All Blacks call-up later this season but his impending departure will likely curtail any potential call-up.
Faine – who’s stepped in as match-day captain of the franchise on regular occasions – has been the glue that’s held the Blues backline together in his half-century of matches. The 25-year-old’s destination is yet to be confirmed.
Otere Black is making every play a winning one right now but the Manawatu pivot didn't have the easiest start to his Super Rugby career with the Blues, writes @TomVinicombe. #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/8xtJYGAcRF
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 24, 2020
Openside flanker Gibson, meanwhile, is heading to another New Zealand franchise, having been forced out of the matchday 23 by the likes of Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu.
With All Black Dillon Hunt also on the books – though forging an ongoing battle with concussion – Gibson’s minutes at present are dictated by injuries.
Gibson was previously called in to train with the All Blacks in 2017 but has been usurped by young talent at the Blues.
All four departees played vital roles in Saturday evening’s victory over the Highlanders.
Black guided the team around the park well while Faiane was infallible in the midfield. Cowley-Tuioti was on the park for the full 80 minutes while Gibson joined the fray late in the match and scored the try that ultimately sealed the victory for the home side.
“We’re generally pretty full,” MacDonald said regarding the Blues roster for next season. “Maybe one or two to go.”
“There’s been a lot of decisions about where do we fit everybody,” added Blues chief executive Andrew Hore. “Hence the Blake’s and that of this world [leaving]. Second row … with [Cowley-Tuioti] leaving.
“Also, there’s a lot of young kids that are coming through … We’ll hopefully get that balance right now and that’s something the organisation wants to work on, is making sure we get that balance right between young and old, getting that experience and leadership across the board.”
The Blues’ victory over the Highlanders marked their first Super Rugby title since 2003.
Comments on RugbyPass
Fiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to comments