No dice, Blues coach John Kirwan proclaimed this week when asked about a move to contract Beauden Barrett. The Blues had decided they would stick with five-eighths from their squad or inside their region.
Fair enough; that covers the Ihaia West, Baden Kerr, Simon Hickey possibilities who have been usedin the most contentious of selection roles this year and even a franchise swap for Gareth Anscombe.
Perhaps it's an overreaction by the Blues after the muddled decision to sign Benji Marshall in the belief he could convert to Super rugby. Some argue it was money well spent on marketing and advertising but as a rugby investment, it was a dud.
The Blues further muddied matters with their recent signing of Daniel Bowden, a five-eighths who has been playing in England and is now heading for a deal in Japan. Since when were England and Japan inside the Blues' region?
The problem remains. Do the Blues sincerely believe that West, Kerr, Hickey and Bowden will take them to greater deeds than Barrett, or have they been told Barrett is off the market? Who would blame him after the shabby events of last season?
Barrett was ready to move then. The Hurricanes were battling, he was being shuffled around the backline and wanted a regular chance at No 10 to set out his All Black challenge.
He got an offer, but it wasn't enough. Whether it was money or circumstances, the Blues had to stump up with some package which brought Barrett to the big smoke. Instead, they signed Marshall. Whoopdeedo.
Imagine being in Barrett's size 10 's and watching an untried convert getting the open-top convertible route to the Blues No 10 jersey. Several digits and a "see ya later" comment wouldn't even scratch the surface for most people.
Barrett is more laidback but that snub would have left a mark. And when the buzz began about changes at the Canes with coach Mark Hammett leaving and players wanting to return, Barrett could see a path in an All Black backline based in the capital.
All he could see at the Blues was confusion, which became worse when Bowden picked up his deal.
Would it be better playing outside TJ Perenara and inside Nonu and Conrad Smith at the Canes or jammed in between Bryn Hall, Bowden and Pita Ahki at the Blues and asked to perform miracles?
Maybe Barrett will thumb his nose at common sense and sign on for Mission Impossible but you've got to think he's had enough of that already.
