Rugby: Blues an attractive option

Gareth Anscombe. Photo / Getty Images

Whatever happens in the second half of their campaign, the Blues at least have the consolation of knowing they are now once again an importer rather than an exporter of talent within New Zealand.

The days of the Blues losing players to other domestic franchises are hopefully over, says coach Pat Lam. From being a team home-grown players once saw as merely a vehicle to a contract elsewhere in New Zealand, the Blues are now fielding calls from young talent around the country wanting to head north to Auckland.

This new-found position as an aspiration franchise has come at precisely the right time, as Lam says it is probable more of the current squad will not be here in 2012. The consolation of sorts is that they will be lured by enormous offshore contracts.

"The risk for us is not the other franchises," says Lam. "The issue for us now is the overseas market. This is the time that the foreign clubs are going crazy - World Cup years tend to do that, with some enormous money being offered.

"If you look at lifestyle factors and the wider population, then Auckland continues to experience a massive influx of people. It is where people want to be and we always knew that if we could get back to where we should be as a rugby team, then we would attract new players and be better placed to keep the ones we have.

"The big positive for us is that we have nearly signed or are close to signing most of the current forwards and we are fielding calls from agents with young players wanting to move to Auckland."

John Afoa and Jared Payne have already declared they will be leaving later this year and a few others, such as Stephen Brett, Joe Rokocoko and Luke McAlister, could follow. Isaia Toeava is also coming off contract and will attract offers with massive money attached. The New Zealand Rugby Union is understood to be determined to keep the 25-year-old, whose form this year has been compelling now that he is injury-free.

The Blues will have a serious problem if both Brett and McAlister decide to leave. Having operated without a quality first five in 2006, 2007 and 2009, the Blues finally got some stability and class in the position when Brett shifted north from the Crusaders. McAlister has returned to form and offered a play-making option from second five, while proving a more than capable 10 when he has started there.

Lam will be desperate to keep at least one but, like Payne, Brett's house in Christchurch has been rendered worthless and the prospect of being paid life-changing money from an overseas club will be hard to turn down.

He has a clause to leave at the end of this campaign if he doesn't make the World Cup squad.

McAlister is believed to be fielding offers from the likes of Bath and Toulouse but may be tempted to stay if his test career is reignited this year.

One option for 2012 will be Gareth Anscombe, especially if the young first five can build on his rookie campaign. Anscombe became Auckland's first choice and showed maturity and composure beyond his years in steering them to the semifinals.

But, at just 20 and with no Super Rugby experience, Anscombe can't be expected to be at the helm of the Blues' campaign in 2012.

The Blues will have little choice but to go to the market and chase an established star.

If they are to maintain their momentum and continue to sit at the right end of the table, they will need experience and quality in key positions.

Lam says they will assess what talent is available within the region and if there are holes they can't fill internally, then they will look to bring in players.

That might also force them into the market to find a replacement for Payne.

The Northland captain has shown this season the value of having someone who makes good decisions under pressure and has a low error count.

Rokocoko has been at the Blues since he was 19 and, with his All Black career probably over, he too can cash in on his reputation overseas and leave the Blues short of experience on the wing next year.

Lam says he is not averse to recruiting foreign players but thinks it is unlikely as they will have to fulfil the criteria of wanting to play down here, being affordable and being better than the locals.

Inevitably other franchises will also lose more players than usual this year because of the World Cup. But for the first time in probably five years, the Blues will be an attractive option to those thinking of switching.