Blues 2020
-
-
Super Rugby Aotearoa: How the Blues signed Beauden Barrett - and why Jordie could be next
Liam Napier
Substantial third-party contributions that helped lure Beauden Barrett to the Blues this season could play a role in prising influential brother Jordie from the Hurricanes.
The Herald understands the signing of Beauden, the biggest coup in Blues history, was supported by third-party payments in the region of $200,000 per season.
This is believed to have more than doubled the All Black star's Super Rugby salary and a similar deal could tempt the younger Barrett from the capital, despite the Blues recently failing in a second bid.
Jordie Barrett last week committed to the Hurricanes until the end of the 2021 season but not before a trip to Auckland, where the Blues hierarchy attempted to woo him for a second time.
By signing a one-year deal with the Hurricanes, however, the 23-year-old has again left open a potential move after the next Super Rugby season.
Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee confirmed the interest in Jordie and the Herald understands the Blues did their upmost to sign him.
"He was open to the fact he had been approached and kept us informed the whole way through," Lee said. "He handled it really well for a young guy.
"As a result of confirming his plans for 2021 Jordie didn't want a lot of fuss. He's a humble guy so we respect that. It's great to have him on board, he's playing superbly well and he's a real leader off the field so we're delighted."
Although Beauden moved north with other considerations in mind — he and wife Hannah are expecting their first child in September and her family is based in Auckland — the Herald understands the third-party deal the Blues stitched together for the 29-year-old is in the region of $200,000 per season.
This is on top of the $195,000 he is believed to earn at the Blues — the top-end of New Zealand's Super Rugby salaries but considerably less than what the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year was offered to play in France.
After losing Kieran Read, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue among others from their region, Blues chief executive Andrew Hore is unapologetic about the franchise's on-going attempts to raid leading opposition players.
Just last week, the Blues signed promising Canterbury and New Zealand schools lock Sam Darry.
"The simple fact is for so long, people stood back and thought the Blues region was easy pickings," Hore told the Herald.
"Now it's time the Blues start looking after our own and also giving as good as we get on some fronts.
"I don't think that's something to be embarrassed about. We're serious about competing.
"We also have a desire to be the best, like anybody else. We can't keep all the talent but we can try to keep the good ones."Hore rejected suggestions Auckland's vast commercial market gives the franchise a significant leg up in leveraging revenue to lure talent.
"Auckland, or the Blues, doesn't have an advantage over anybody else. You've raised some players today but every franchise has third-party agreements."
With the likes of Benji Marshall and Jerome Kaino, the Blues previously cultivated third-party deals with companies such as nib Insurance and Auckland Transport.
The importance of these deals to the Blues is underlined by the fact they faced the prospect of insolvency by July had crowds not been permitted to return to Super Rugby Aotearoa due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Third-party agreements are part of the collective agreement we have and that's the reality. Often if we didn't have those, we wouldn't have those young men in the country," Hore said.
"I've worked in Europe and I've seen how other systems operate. At least by having a third party agreement it's a very open and transparent process. It's unlike other countries where it's a brown paper bag in the back of a car. It's something that we're all entitled to use and all franchises use it. There's no foul play and we all adhere to those rules."
For the Hurricanes, the joy of retaining Jordie Barrett for next season won't last. Next year, he returns to the open market, and Lee knows the Blues could make another inevitable play to reunite the Taranaki brothers.
"Other players are happy to sign two, three and four year deals but there is a small percentage who, depending on where they're at in their career or the pecking order of the All Blacks, are looking to have flexibility in their contracts," Lee said. "There's not a lot we can do about it. It's obviously a factor in the player market."
Lee also conceded that Beauden Barrett's return from Japan – he will join Suntory Sungoliath and skip the 2021 Super Rugby season as per his sabbatical clause – may factor into Jordie's future decision.
"He hasn't talked about that. It was a special experience when they were playing here together but we're hoping Jordie wants to find his own path and continue to be a Hurricane but time will tell."
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12355653
-
@Bones plenty of Canes passion in this article:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12355280
-
@Canes4life wellllll "plenty" might be stretching it a tad.
-
-
@Bones said in Blues 2020:
@Canes4life wellllll "plenty" might be stretching it a tad.
Article confirms Jordie grew up a Canes fanboy. I suspect Smiley made sure Kane, Beauden and Scott did too.
-
-
@Bones said in Blues 2020:
@sparky said in Blues 2020:
Kane, Beauden and Scott
So passionate though.
Money will trump being a fanboy almost everytime.
-
Thanks for the entertainment .Some great youngsters blooded ,and the senior players leading the way.
Congratulations to the whole Blues franchise.Good luck to those who are in the frame for higher honours. -
The Blues have room to squeeze in a marquee signing or two for next year’s Super Rugby, and coach Leon MacDonald doesn’t mind saying he hopes it will be to play in a trans- Ta$man competition..
Chief executive Andrew Hore wasn’t giving much away when he was asked earlier this week about potential signings for 2021. But he did say: “There will be a couple I think who will be a bit of a surprise”.
MacDonald wasn’t naming names at this stage either, but confirmed new additions would be minimal in a group that will stay pretty steady.
“We’ve just got a handful,” he said of openings in his squad. “Most of our spots are taken, and the core of this group is going to stay together which is really exciting. There are some draft spots and a couple of extras to fill in, but not a lot..
Also Parsons is out for the rest of the year for concussion recovery.
-
-
@Stargazer said in Blues 2020:
@Tim said in Blues 2020:
“There will be a couple I think who will be a bit of a surprise”.
Players returning from overseas, or more players switching SR franchises?
It’s really unlikely but the Tuivasa-Sheck rumour came back to life earlier this week.
-
what is TKB upto?
-
So what positions might there be recruitment?
Midfield - a replacement for Marchant. Someone that can play 12 & 13 would be useful
Fullback - a replacement for Barrett (there's still plenty of 10's in the squad)
Hooker - improve depth below Eklund. Is Parsons still wanting to play?
Halfback - Christie appears to MacDonalds first choice, Blues need more quality below him
Openside - No issues with the opensides this year but I think the Blues should select a younger option. Dalton is first choice, Lamborn has been a pleasant surprise and Gibson has been good when fit (not often enough)
I would find room for Choat. That would be tough on Lamborn.. A decision that might not pay off in 2021 but a good medium term investment.
