Black may put Barrett’s return to No 10 on hold
Otere Black has a chance of holding on to the Blues’ No 10 jersey as long as the Blues keep winning.
Every man and his dog knows he has Beauden Barrett breathing down his neck, but Black’s smart decision-making and educated boot kept the big Blues forward pack in the right areas of the field against the Hurricanes when Super Rugby Aotearoa kicked off on Sunday.
Leon MacDonald would be mad to play with the formula that has served the Blues so well this season, especially as Barrett is probably just one or two games away from absolutely cutting loose at fullback.
Barrett would clearly like to be in the No 10 jersey, and that time is likely to come, but MacDonald would need to have certainty that a Barrett-Matt Duffie combination would give him more control and punch than Black-Barrett.
The evidence presented on Sunday says not, and Black was the sharpest of the No 10s running around in the first weekend of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
15. Damian McKenzie (Chiefs): Beauden Barrett was good but the Chiefs fullback was better, and must be wondering how he ended on the losing side.
14. Mark Telea (Blues): Everything about Telea is deceptive: his pace, strength and ability to step out of a tackle continues to trouble defenders.
13. Rieko Ioane (Blues): Has jets in his boots and set up Caleb Clarke nicely for the first try.
12. Sio Tomkinson (Highlanders): Typically strong on defence, ran a smart line for his try, and carried the ball with real vigour all night.
11. Caleb Clarke
Future All Black. Next.
10 Otere Black (Blues): Accurate with the boot out of hand and
(Blues): off the tee and even began challenging the line in the second half.
9. Aaron Smith (Highlanders): Has returned in great condition and fired the 29th minute pass that set up Bryn Gatland’s drop goal.
8. Marino Mikaele Tu’u (Highlanders): The Auckland media will swear Hoskins Sotutu was better, and it was a close call, but Mikaele-Tu’u carried for more metres, beat more defenders and provided the momentum for Gatland’s winning play.
7. Dillon Hunt (Highlanders): Made an incredible 19 tackles in a staunch defensive effort and picked off the odd turnover as well.
6. Tom Robinson (Blues): The big man was a pest at lineout time, and covers a huge amount of territory with his V8 engine. Chased all the way on Ben Lam’s try even cause.
5. Pari Pari Parkinson (Highlanders): Played a key role in a dominant lineout as a lifter or jumper and popped up in the midfield as a distributor.
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues): Rule one of Super Rugby Aotearoa is: don’t run into his shoulder. Growing lineout presence, too.
3. Siate Tokolahi (Highlanders): Rock solid at scrum although and ran one great line off an Ash Dixon short ball.
2. Dane Coles (Hurricanes): Remarkable finish showed that his acceleration is still a major part of his game. Bonus point for niggle with Barrett.
1. Alex Hodgman (Blues): Picked off one important intercept and worked tirelessly as the Tom Coventry influence on the Blues pack shines through.
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