Blues 2021
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The Wizard's big decision: Otere Black weighs future with Blues
With Beauden Barrett set to return, Otere Black is weighing his future with the Blues.
Paywalled. Here's relevant quotes
"To be honest I'm going through that at the moment," Black told the Herald before the Blues departed for Brisbane on Wednesday afternoon. "I'm looking at options and we'll see what happens over the next month. "I'm pretty open to what's out there, but at the moment I'm solely focused on the next three weeks. "All options will be something I'll look at but I've left that to my management. I've told them I've got a couple of crucial weeks ahead of us and I don't want to have that stuff pondering in the background." Black and his partner recently welcomed eight-month-old daughter Areta. Providing for them is now the 26-year-old's top priority. "I've got a young family to look after so a lot of the decisions I make now it's not about me, it's about my family. That's the way I've gone about it. My daughter's arrival made me think about looking after my family and whatever it takes, I'll do it. Whether that's domestically or offshore, my big why in turning up to training and trying to perform well is making sure my family is well looked after. That will be a big part of my decision." -
@duluth This paragraph puts a "going offshore" spin on the article:
Once this Transtasman campaign is complete and a decision on his future made, Black is expected to savour potentially one of his last appearances for New Zealand Maori in their scheduled match against Samoa at Mt Smart Stadium on July 3.
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@nzzp said in Blues 2021:
@tim that, and Beauden coming next year...
seriously, though, I thought Otere would have a higher ceiling. He has been given every opportunity to succeed - unlike a number of previous 10s. He's had time at the Canes, and then an extended spell with us.
Decent time to ease into the team (coming off injury), a good forward pack, decent front foot ball and quality coaching. He's been good at times, but the form has been too patchy.
With BB coming, I'd be looking to keep one out of him, Perofeta and Plummer. Same applies to Plummer - I really wanted him to succeed, but he just hasn't delivered on the park given decent opportunities. We should be looking at a development 10, and wish the others well on their future rugby careers.
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@nzzp Plummer can cover 12 though and hasn't played 10 properly since about 2019 where he was rotating with Black.
If anyone's been messed around at 10, it's been Plummer.
I'd probably let Perofeta go if someone was to make way. He's injury prone, hasn't really reached the heights that were expected of him and Zarn Sullivan has far more upside to his game.
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@african-monkey said in Blues 2021:
@nzzp Plummer can cover 12 though and hasn't played 10 properly since about 2019 where he was rotating with Black.
If anyone's been messed around at 10, it's been Plummer.
I'd probably let Perofeta go if someone was to make way. He's injury prone, hasn't really reached the heights that were expected of him and Zarn Sullivan has far more upside to his game.
Don't disagree. Can see perofeta and black disappearing.
Plummer has kinda, but also has not delivered at times, and I've been as annoyed as anyone (as I liked him and wanted him to succeed!)
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@tim said in Blues 2021:
Niko Jones seems to specialise at 8 in club rugby.
That's a name I haven't heard of as much as I was hoping I would. Is he developing well or stalling a bit?
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@crazy-horse Do not know. Might be a bit small?
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@crazy-horse He played a fair bit for Auckland last year. Hits hard like his father but yeah, think 7 is his best position going forward.
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@daffy-jaffy he's pretty funny. Doing an engineering degree I undersatnd - which is awesome to see. Shows how some time out of the pro game can actually be a good thing (although I wouldn't wish injury on anyone)
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@daffy-jaffy big fan of Tom's so looking forward to this one.
