Ihaia West
Hawke’s Bay and Maori All Blacks flyhalf Ihaia West has signed with the Blues for the 2015 and 2016 Super Rugby seasons.
It has been a remarkable rise for the 22-year-old livewire who was without a Super Rugby contract at the start of the year and joined the Blues in April to provide cover for the injured Baden Kerr.
West has become a revelation for the franchise, claiming the number 10 jersey for the last three games and leading the team around the field with aplomb.
Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan lauded West’s temperament and was delighted to retain his services for the next two years.
“We’re thrilled to have Ihaia with us for the next two seasons,” Kirwan said.
“He’s incredibly relaxed under pressure and has a great temperament that you need in a 10. Nothing seems to faze him, he came into the football team midway through the year but it was like he’d been here five years.”
“He’s brought a nice attacking edge to the team and hasn’t tried to do too much too early and I think we’ll see him continue to grow. We’ve seen enough of him to realise that, along with Simon Hickey who are quite different footballers, we’ve got two great 10s we can really build a franchise around.”
West said his decision to turn down a Super Rugby contract in Australia last year to pursue his goal of playing in New Zealand had certainly paid off.
“At the start of the year I was a bit gutted watching Super Rugby on TV and thought what if I took that contract but getting the opportunity to play a few games with the Blues then securing a contract for the next couple of years, I’m certainly stoked with my decision now,” West said.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time up here with the Blues. I’ve loved the environment, there’s a great bunch of guys and coaches so I’m really excited to sign and I’m looking forward to the next couple of years.”