1
Report: Blues and Hurricanes set to exchange ex-All Blacks prospects for 2022 Super Rugby season
Fresh off their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title-winning exploits, the Blues are reportedly set to do a double-deal with the Hurricanes.
ADVERTISEMENT
A report on Twitter have emerged linking departing Blues flanker Blake Gibson with the Hurricanes, while the Wellington-based franchise are expected to lose third-string hooker Ricky Riccitelli to Auckland.
The trade-off comes two days after Blues head coach Leon MacDonald and chief executive Andrew Hore confirmed after their 23-15 Trans-Tasman final win over the Highlanders that Gibson is among four players set to depart the franchise.
Capping off his time with the Blues in style, Gibson came off the bench to score the decisive try three minutes from full-time in what was his final appearance for the franchise.
A long-serving veteran for the Blues, the 26-year-old made his debut for the side in just his second year out of school in 2015 and has since established himself as a leading figure at the team’s Epsom-based headquarters.
With more than 50 Super Rugby appearances to his name, Gibson’s influence on the franchise was reflected by his appointment as co-captain alongside current skipper Patrick Tuipulotu for the 2019 season.
Furthermore, a call-up to the All Blacks squad came in 2017 after Sam Cane became unavailable due to injury, but Gibson failed to win a cap for the national side.
ADVERTISEMENT
A tough run of injuries in recent seasons has not only prevented him from getting back into the All Blacks camp since then, but it has also contributed to him losing his starting role with the Blues.
The emergence of Dalton Papalii and recruitment of Dillon Hunt has left Gibson on the outer at Eden Park, and while the injured Hunt didn’t take to the field at all for the Blues this year, his presence means Gibson’s playing time has become dependant on injuries.
It’s unsurprising, then, to see Gibson depart the Blues in a bid to revitalise his career, and a move to the Hurricanes may well do that.
The Wellingtonians have All Blacks star Ardie Savea and promising prospect Du’Plessis Kirifi as their key players in the loose forwards, while blindside flanker Reed Prinsep won Hurricanes Player of the Year at their annual awards ceremony last week.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, given his pedigree, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Gibson start for the Hurricanes, who finished last in Super Rugby Aotearoa and were one of only two Kiwi teams to lose to Australian opponents in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
Fresh after his side’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title-winning success, Blues head coach Leon MacDonald already has an eye on next year’s campaign with incoming NRL star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. #Blues #SuperRugby https://t.co/icI6F3GcJZ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 21, 2021
Depleted by Beauden Barrett’s defection to the Blues last year and TJ Perenara’s Japanese sabbatical this year, Jason Holland’s side were in the midst of a rebuilding period that saw them blood seven new players.
But, in addition to the reported recruitment of Gibson, the Hurricanes’ fortunes could turn next season thanks to the confirmed arrivals of ex-All Blacks pair Owen Franks and Dominic Bird, both of whom will bolster the side’s tight five, and the return of Perenara.
With youngsters such as Ruben Love and Cam Roigard garnering extensive experience on the park, and talented prospect Aidan Morgan joining the squad next season, all signs point to a prosperous season at Sky Stadium next year.
Riccitelli seemingly won’t be part of that campaign, though, as the 26-year-old is set to move north to join the Blues as they look to secure back-to-back titles for the first time since 1997.
Similarly to Gibson, Riccitelli has become a veteran of the Hurricanes since making his debut for the franchise as an injury cover player during their maiden championship-winning season in 2016.
Since then, the South African-born rake has played more than 50 times for the Hurricanes as he impressed with his energy and robustness in general play.
Highlanders co-captain Ash Dixon didn’t mince his words when explaining why his side went into Saturday’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final as firm underdogs against the Blues. #SuperRugbyTT #Blues #BLUvHIG https://t.co/QPLivAbncK
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 21, 2021
That was enough to earn him multiple call-ups to the All Blacks squad throughout 2017 and 2018, but the Taranaki rake never took to the field for New Zealand.
Instead, Riccitelli has found himself on the outer at the Hurricanes in recent years due to the franchise’s preference for All Blacks duo Dane Coles and Asafo Aumua.
A victim of strong squad depth rather than declining playing ability, Riccitelli was called on by ex-All Blacks and Blues hooker James Parsons to look elsewhere for opportunities on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod earlier this year as he was labelled “too good” to be a third-choice hooker.
According to these fresh reports, it appears Riccitelli has answered that call by swapping Wellington for Auckland, where he will compete for minutes with the likes of Kurt Eklund, Ray Niuia and Soane Vikena.
Unlike the Hurricanes, the Blues have no All Blacks hookers in their ranks, which would give Riccitelli a better chance at re-establishing himself at Super Rugby level.
Before then, though, both Gibson and Riccitelli have to get through the upcoming NPC season with Auckland and Taranaki, respectively.
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments