If there was ever a time for Beauden Barrett to shift north to the Blues, it's now.
But first, let's get one thing straight, Barrett must decide his playing future based on only one thing - the All Blacks jersey.
As someone who's not yet nailed down a starting berth in the All Blacks, it would be supremely premature to start thinking about moving based on off-field profile enhancements.
To be fair to Barrett, I doubt that'd be the reason he would move to the Blues, but anyone remember how it turned out for James O'Connor when he moved to Melbourne for his so called 'brand'?
No, instead it should be a decision based on enhancing his profile as an All Black starting candidate. And it's an entirely valid argument that a move to the Blues does just that.
Barrett would, of course, be the undisputed starting 10 at the Blues, and he'd be playing inside Sonny Bill Williams and George Moala, a potential All Black midfield in 2017.
At halfback, he'd have fringe All Black Augustine Pulu. It's got the making of a potentially devastating Blues backline.
The Blues are also a team on the rise. It was unfair on Tana Umaga to expect him to completely right the awful ship he inherited late last year and the fact he's got them playing an even 6-6 after 12 games is credit to him.
Next year is the year where they could begin to contend and the addition of Barrett would turn them into a title challenger.
It would be difficult for him to leave the Hurricanes, he's formed an outstanding relationship with halfback TJ Perenara, and a championship with the franchise that groomed him would mean plenty.
Barrett's turned down the Blues before to stay in Wellington and it would be no surprise if he did it again, but if there was a time that he could justify a move as benefiting his on-field game, it's now.
Newshub
