Rugby: Meet the new Blue - Brett unveiled in Auckland

Stephen Brett knows now is the time to step out of Dan Carter's shadow. Photo / Brett Phibbs

When Daniel Carter rejected the huge contract dangled in front of him by the Blues, the popular theory was he could not look his staunch Cantabrian father in the eye and tell him he was going to play in Auckland.

Stephen Brett knew how he felt but, with ambition and professional realities gnawing away at him, decided he had to bite the bullet.

Waiouru-born but Canterbury-bred, he knew he was going to get a bit of grief from friends and family.

"Yeah, I definitely got some from my stepfather and my mother."

It would not help that the stepfather in question is former Canterbury stalwart Victor Simpson, but for all the light-hearted ribbing, they knew he was doing the right thing.

"They're happy I'm up here," said Brett. "They're looking forward to the challenge as well."

Challenge is the appropriate word. The Blues backline has functioned only in fits and starts since the mercurial Carlos Spencer left for the well-concealed delights of Northampton.

If Brett can get the best out of talents like Benson Stanley and Isaia Toeava outside him, the next step of his ambition - to make the All Blacks proper - could be satisfied.

Brett was brought into the wider squad in July after injuries to Stephen Donald and Luke McAlister and being in that environment served only to sharpen his ambition.

"Just getting that little taste of it gave my confidence a good boost. That led into the Air New Zealand Cup, Canterbury had a good season and I thrived on that."

Graham Henry went public with it but deep down Brett already knew: if he was serious about taking the next step up, he had to leave the shadow of Carter and become the main man somewhere else.

"It is about getting that game time I needed.

"Obviously I knew DC was coming back a couple of years ago when I signed my contract so I had a buy-out clause in my contract and I utilised that by going into the draft.

"The Chiefs have got Stephen Donald, the Highlanders have young Robbie Robinson down there and at the Canes there is Aaron Cruden so the Blues were always first choice ...

"I love red-and-black country but I'm a blue now and I've got to get the blue into my veins now."

NZ SQUADS FOR 2010 SUPER 14

BLUES

Backs: Paul Williams, Rudi Wulf, George Pisi, Rene Ranger, Joe Rokocoko, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Luke McAlister, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Stephen Brett, Chris Smylie, Alby Mathewson

Forwards: Viliame Ma'afu, Chris Lowrey, Tom Chamberlain, Serge Lilo, Peter Sa'ili, Jerome Kaino, Kurtis Haiu, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Charlie Faumuina, Tony Woodcock, Tevita Mailau, Keven Mealamu, Tom McCartney

CHIEFS

Backs: Mils Muliaina, Tim Nanai-Williams, Dwayne Sweeney, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Jackson Willison, Callum Bruce, Stephen Donald, Mike Delany, Brendon Leonard, Jnr Poluleuligaga

Forwards: Sione Lauaki, Colin Bourke, Jarrad Hoeata, Tanerau Latimer, Luke Braid, Liam Messam, Romana Graham, Craig Clarke, Kevin O'Neill, Callum Retallick, Nathan White, Ben Afeaki, James McGougan, Sona Taumalolo, Aled de Malmanche, Hika Elliot

HURRICANES

Backs: Cory Jane, Andre Taylor, Hosea Gear, David Smith, Tamati Ellison, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Jason Kawau, Aaron Cruden, Willie Ripia, Tyson Keats, Piri Weepu

Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Nick Crosswell, Karl Lowe, Scott Waldrom, Victor Vito, Michael Paterson, Jason Eaton, James Broadhurst, Bryn Evans, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Perenise, John Schwalger, Jacob Ellison, Andrew Hore, Dane Coles

CRUSADERS

Backs: Colin Slade, Jared Payne, Zac Guildford, Kade Poki, Sean Maitland, Adam Whitelock, Robert Fruean, Tim Batemen, Ryan Crotty, Daniel Carter, Daniel Bowden, Andy Ellis, Kahn Fotuali'i

Forwards: Thomas Waldrom, Richie McCaw, George Whitelock, Jonathan Poff, Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Chris Jack, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Peter Borlase, Wyatt Crockett, Corey Flynn, Ti'i Paulo

HIGHLANDERS

Backs: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Fetu'u Vainikolo, James Paterson, Kendrick Lynn, Jason Shoemark, Jayden Hayward, Michael Hobbs, Robbie Robinson, Matt Berquist, Jimmy Cowan, Sean Romans

Forwards: Stephen Setephano, Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Tim Boys, Adam Thomson, John Hardie, Josh Bekhuis, Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs, Joe Tuineau, Chris King, Bronson Murray, Jamie Mackintosh, Clint Newland, Jason Macdonald, Jason Rutledge.