-
New Blues signing Stephen Brett - Source: Photosport -
Related
First-five eighth Stephen Brett is hoping his Super 14 rugby switch to the Blues will enhance his prospects of cracking the All Blacks.
In a move that had been foreshadowed, Brett was named as one of the Blues' draft picks when the New Zealand squads for 2010 were announced today.
His transfer north comes after 39 appearances for the Crusaders over the past four seasons and a solid campaign in the Air NZ Cup as he helped Canterbury to retain the title.
But with Dan Carter returning after his sabbatical in France, Brett's opportunities to wear the No 10 jersey for the Christchurch-based franchise looked limited.
"The chance of getting quality game time and in a quality side is going to be a big thing for me," he said of the Blues.
"Hopefully I can grow from my Air NZ Cup campaign and bring it forward to the Super 14 next year."
Brett, 23, said he never looked at options overseas when contemplating where he would play next year.
"Definitely not," he said.
"I've got my ambitions and I just need a good season in Super 14 and hopefully it will come this season."
Brett put his Air NZ Cup form down partly to the taste he got of the All Black environment mid-year, when he was called into the training squad.
"Just getting that little wee touch of it gave my confidence a good boost," he said.
"That led into the Air NZ Cup and I just sort of thrived on that."
Brett was preparing for some ribbing from Canterbury fans, from friends and "definitely from my stepdad and my mother" about the shift to Auckland, which he said was for professional reasons.
"Obviously I've got to see what's best for my career and the move up to the Blues was the best thing I could do," he said.
"The Red and Blacks know that I love red-and-black country, but I'm a Blue now and I've got blue in my veins now.
Brett will form a new inside-back pairing for the Blues with halfback Alby Mathewson, who is joining from the Hurricanes.
The pair played together for the New Zealand Colts.
He said Mathewson's arrival and the prospect of being alongside All Black midfield backs Luke McAlister and Isaia Toeava helped to sway him towards the Blues rather than another franchise.
In a notable move, the Blues have chosen not to sign Auckland first five-eighth and former Highlander Daniel Bowden as back-up to Brett.
Instead, they have drafted in former Hurricane Daniel Kirkpatrick, while Bowden has been picked up by the Crusaders.
Asked about the choice of Kirkpatrick over Bowden, coach Pat Lam said Kirkpatrick, 21, was someone who had "shown the potential to go all the way".
"It's a chance for him to come up here and work alongside Stevie and the other experienced guys to help his development, not only for us, but also for New Zealand rugby," he said.
"He's certainly got a good kicking game. Unfortunately, he's had a few injuries this year. But the
games he's played, he's shown he can navigate a team around."
Full Super 14 squads click here
