How Beauden Barrett signing for the Blues could impact not just the Hurricanes, but the entire New Zealand conference
Speculation might be rife about Beauden Barrett making a potential shock move from the Hurricanes to the Blues, but the Wellington club aren’t giving up on their star man just yet.
A New Zealand Herald report, released on Wednesday, stated that the Blues are chasing the signature of the two-time World Player of the Year in a monumental move that could have significant implications on future results for both franchises.
It isn’t the first time the Auckland-based side have pursued the signature of the 28-year-old playmaker, as he turned down an offer to sign with the three-time champions in 2016, instead choosing to stay on with the Hurricanes, the side that he has been part of since 2011.
However, a Hurricanes spokesperson told Stuff that the club is still talking to Barrett, who is off contract with New Zealand Rugby [NZR] at the end of the year, and his representatives as he assesses his playing options beyond 2019.
“Given Beauden is off contract currently, there is always bound to be a great deal of speculation as to his future,” the spokesperson said.
“He will always be in demand at a large number of clubs throughout the world.
“We can’t progress anything past that point at the moment, but we will continue to talk to Beauden, who has been a long serving and stand out player for the Hurricanes.”
Blues chief executive Michael Redman told Stuff in a statement that he won’t publicly discuss the attempted acquisition of Barrett or any other player.
“Our policy remains unchanged that we never comment on speculation around player or staff recruitment,” he said.
The Blues have been desperate for a world-class first-five since the departure of Carlos Spencer in 2005, and their inability to unearth a star playmaker has been a major factor in their title drought, which has lasted since 2003.
Since then, they have unsuccessfully tried to pursuade the likes of Barrett and ex-Crusaders and All Blacks legend Dan Carter to move north.
The signature of rugby league star Benji Marshall for the 2014 campaign brought with it a lot of fanfare, but the 27-test Kiwis pivot was a flop, playing in six matches and scoring just nine points before moving back to Sydney to play for the St George-Illawarra Dragons in the NRL.
In Otere Black, Stephen Perofeta and Harry Plummer, the Blues side already have three first-fives signed on for next year.
However, should the Blues sign Barrett, the 73-test All Black would be unlikely to play for them until the 2021 season, as it is believed he is expected to take a sabbatical in the Japanese Top League in 2020.
What’s more is that the impact of that unlikely transfer could trigger another remarkable player movement between New Zealand clubs.
Barrett’s All Blacks and Hurricanes teammate and younger brother, Jordie, is also off-contract with NZR at the end of this year, and is yet to announce his decision on his playing future.
Should Beauden opt to leave the Hurricanes and move to the Blues via the Top League, a shift may be on the cards for Jordie as well.
The presence of Beauden within the Hurricanes squad played a big part in his signing with the club ahead of the 2017 season, especially given he was offered a contract by the Crusaders while he was playing in the Mitre 10 Cup for Canterbury in 2016.
With older brother Scott still a prominent member of the back-to-back reigning Super Rugby champions, the departure of Beauden from the nation’s capital could make a move back to Christchurch an appealing option for Jordie.
Jordie’s versatility is a key aspect of his game – he can play fullback, wing, both midfield positions and can even cover at first-five – and with Ryan Crotty leaving for the Kubota Spears in Japan after this year’s World Cup, and the anticipated exit of the long-serving Tim Bateman, up to two spots could open up in the Crusaders’ midfield for next year’s squad.
The opportunity to link up with All Blacks teammate Jack Goodhue to form a formidable 12-13 partnership could be a tantalising prospect for the 22-year-old, not to mention the chance to play Super Rugby alongside another one of his four brothers.
A backline re-shuffle could also see David Havili, Braydon Ennor or Ngane Punivai move into the centres, freeing up room for Jordie to play in his preferred position of fullback alongside a raft of extremely talented outside backs within the Crusaders’ ranks, which includes George Bridge, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Manasa Mataele.
However, one would expect the Hurricanes to do everything in their power to prevent one, let alone two, of the Barrett brothers from leaving their squad.
Regardless of whether Beauden decides to stay or leave the Hurricanes, the ramifications of his decision could prove to be massive.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments