Black thrives with game time

Otere Black has loved his increased game time with the Hurricanes this year, but it was the desire for even move that spurred on his move to the Blues.

The 22-year-old Manawatu first five-eighth said he was not thinking about his impending move north instead preferring to focus on the Hurricanes’ quarter final against the Brumbies.

Black’s game time with the Hurricanes has increased dramatically this year.

Last year he was a rare sighting registering just 24 minutes in three games.

He has already played 12 games and racked up 401 minutes this year.

‘‘It has been a massive year for me. In terms of minutes I have been playing quite a bit of rugby this season with the Canes. It has been really enjoyable. Coming off the bench, I have had pretty good success there with a few games.’’

"My sole focus at the moment is getting the W in Canberra and give myself another week in the Hurricanes jersey." Otere Black

But Black desires a starting role, something that is not going to happen at the Hurricanes with Beauden Barrett in front of him.

That was a major factor in his option to move to the Blues.

‘‘It was a better opportunity for me playing wise. I can go up there and make that jersey my own and that is something that I am really looking forward to. It is just an opportunity to play big minutes week in, week out. It is something that I have always wanted to do. I have enjoyed my situation here off the bench, but I feel that I have a bit to offer up there.’’

At the Hurricanes, he has has a first-hand view of Beauden Barrett’s grow from a highlytouted youngster to international star.

It is a similar leap that Black hopes to make once he is out of Barrett’s shadow.

Black has been named on the bench this weekend against the Brumbies.

‘‘It is do or die rugby now so both teams will be wanting to

throw the ball around and put a good performance in to earn ourselves another Monday,’’ he said.

‘‘They will have some pretty fond memories they last time we were there they gave us a pretty

good hiding. So it is going to be a really tough match in Canberra.’’

He will take plenty of confidence into the match after his commanding performance against the Crusaders when he was a surprise

starter due to Beauden Barrett falling ill. The late call up was something he took in his stride.

‘‘I prepare all week like I am going to start and make sure I get my head around all the moves so it

was not too much of an issue.’’

His pending move means that the next time the Hurricanes lose, it will be his last game for the franchise.

‘‘It is something that I have not

really thought about, but it is something that will come up if the time comes. But my sole focus at the moment is getting the W in Canberra and give myself another week in the Hurricanes jersey.’’