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
An inside pass to attacker on the angle can make a drift defence look lead footed. Relies on fleet footed forward/s to get across from the breakdown. An argument for the smaller faster 7 perhaps?
3 Go to commentsSensational tackle. The reds one was late and rightly penalised. The other two were simultaneous with the pass. If nitpicking TMOs can’t find fault there clearly isn’t any.
1 Go to commentsBrumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
5 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
5 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
5 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
5 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
3 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to comments