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The Blues have suffered another crucial blow, losing up-and-coming first five-eighth Stephen Perofeta to a broken hand suffered in the pre-season clash with the Chiefs last week.
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The injury comes after former Hurricanes first five-eighth Otere Black suffered a season-ending ACL injury in the Mitre 10 Cup. The Blues acquired Black in a mid-season trade for Ihaia West.
Head coach Tana Umaga ruled out making a play for unwanted first five Quade Cooper.
“We haven’t talked to him. That’s just speculation that comes with being part of a big city. I hear we’re in the market with a lot of players we haven’t been party to. No, is all I can say really.”
“It’s what you can do,” he said. “We’re unable to bring in players. You have to have two injuries in the same position, and we don’t want that. We’ve got to look within the squad at who can cover there.
“We’ve still got Bryn Gatland and Daniel Kirkpatrick, and this gives an opportunity for them. We’re very happy with the way all our players have been running, and they’ll get another week to cement some things, and we’ll see how that goes against the Hurricanes (in Warkworth) next week.”
The 20-year-old Perofeta is a quality playmaker, showing flashes of brilliance during his time with the New Zealand under-20’s last year. His performance against the British and Irish Lions lead to pundits labeling him the future of the franchise.
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Warren Gatland’s son Bryn looks set to start the season at 10 for the Blues now, who will face a grueling opening month with two New Zealand derbies against the Highlanders and Chiefs, before heading to South Africa to take on the Lions and Stormers.
The Blues will play at the Brisbane Global Tens this weekend in Brisbane.
