Blues recruit Black out with rupture

Blues recruit Otere Black will miss most of next year’s Super Rugby season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament playing for Manawatu.

Black, who signed with the Blues through to 2019 from the Hurricanes this year, injured his knee in Manawatu’s 46- 25 Ranfurly Shield loss to Taranaki in New Plymouth on Wednesday night.

Manawatu coach Jeremy Cotter confirmed to the Weekend Herald first five- eighth Black had done his ACL, an injury which typically requires six- to- nine months’ recovery.

The Super Rugby season starts in late February and Taranaki firstfive Stephen Perofeta will now be favoured to start at No 10 for the Blues next year, with North Harbour’s Bryn Gatland likely to deputise.

The injury comes at a cruel time for Black.

Stuck behind Beauden Barrett at the Hurricanes for two seasons, the 22- year- old’s move to the Blues was designed to give him much more games and the chance to make his mark. Now the New Zealand Maori pivot faces the prospect of making a mid- season comeback after watching others step into the breach.

Perofeta made a good fist of his starting debut for the Blues against the British and Irish Lions at Eden Park last year and has since grown in confidence with Taranaki.

Although the 20- year- old is far from the finished product, he is light on his feet, possesses a dangerous running game, and is considered a handy prospect by national selectors.

Now, with Black sidelined and the Blues No 10 jersey up for grabs, Perofeta has even more reason to carry his strong form into the Mitre 10 Cup playoffs.