Black, West trading places for 2018

AUCKLAND: The Blues and Hurricanes have officially completed their much speculated playmaking switcheroo — first fiveeighths Ihaia West and Otere Black will trade Super Rugby places in 2018.

The 22yearold Black, a Maori All Black and former New Zealand under20 player, has signed a twoyear deal in Auckland and will probably be the Blues’ premier No 10.

West, meanwhile, has signed a oneyear deal to return to the Canes, where he was a development player in 2014, although he is less likely to wear the No 10 jumper, as Beauden Barrett is a certain starter.

Black admitted extra minutes were a key motivation for making the move north. He will form a youthful No 10 group in Auckland alongside fellow recruit Bryn Gatland, signed on to the end of 2018, and Stephen Perofeta.

All three players have started against the British and Irish Lions this month — the North Harbourbased Gatland for the Provincial Barbarians, Perofeta for the victorious Blues and Black for the Hurricanes.

‘‘It was a hard decision for me to decide to leave the Hurricanes,’’ Black, who plays for Manawatu at the provincial level, said.

‘‘There are no guarantees but I hope to make the Blues No 10 jumper my own, and I’m looking forward to all the challenges that come with that.’’

The Blues No 10 shirt has been a mostly cursed one since Carlos Spencer vacated it in 2005 and noone has commanded the role.

West heads to Wellington with 43 Blues appearances under his belt, while incumbent first fiveeighth Piers Francis takes up a deal with English club Northampton after breaking into Eddie Jones’ England setup in 2017.

Gatland, son of Lions boss Warren, also played a bitpart role for the Blues in this year’s unsuccessful finals tilt, mostly as a replacement.

West said he was pleased to return to a franchise more closely connected to his provincial team, Hawke’s Bay. — NZN