Richie Mo’unga’s imminent return from Japan may also have factored into Perofeta’s decision, with Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie established All Blacks and Ruben Love stating his claims for more game time at No 10 with the Hurricanes this year.
Perofeta’s exit is expected to continue New Zealand’s first-five reshuffle, too, with Otago and Highlanders playmaker Cam Millar understood to be on the Blues radar.
Blues playmaker Stephen Perofeta runs in a try against Moana Pasifika. Photo / Photosport
With Josh Jacomb set to switch from the Chiefs to the Highlanders next year as he seeks to emerge from McKenzie’s shadow, Millar could find himself relegated in the pecking order at the southern franchise and he is therefore expected to switch to the Blues.
A move to the Blues for Millar could open the door for the 23-year-old to eventually seize the playmaking reins, with Barrett’s future uncertain beyond next year.
Replacing a 10-year Super Rugby veteran such as Perofeta isn’t easy, though. First five-eighths need time and experience, often honed over many years, to gain the confidence and game-management credentials required at the top level.
Perofeta’s expected departure will continue a concerning trend that will see nine All Blacks – and many highly valuable fringe prospects – leave New Zealand this year.
Blues and All Blacks teammates Stephen Perofeta (left) and Beauden Barrett. Photo / SmartFrame
The end of an era looms for the Blues with Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, A.J. Lam and, possibly, Perofeta and Kurt Eklund departing their ranks.
Vern Cotter moving from the Blues to lead the Queensland Reds next year won’t be the only departure from the Blues management team either, as Jason Holland prepares to take charge next season.
Elsewhere, the Hurricanes are set to farewell up to 10 players, with 23-year-old star wing Fehi Fineanganofo, Super Rugby Pacific’s leading tryscorer, among the high-profile departures.
Devan Flanders’ exit to Japanese side the Urayasu D-Rocks is another body blow as the dynamic blindside flanker comes into his own this year. Pouri Rakete-Stones (Newcastle), Riley Higgins (Edinburgh) and Isaia Walker-Leawere (Benetton Treviso, Italy) are other confirmed exits.
At the end of this season, the Chiefs will also lose outside back Etene Nanai-Seturo and halfback Xavier Roe.
Etene Nanai-Seturo is leaving the Chiefs at the end of this season. Photo / Photosport
Former All Blacks Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod and Sevu Reece are leaving the Crusaders. Hawke’s Bay utility Jonah Lowe is departing the Highlanders – and Tanielu Telea could join him.
While an exodus of fringe and former All Blacks is not unprecedented in the year prior to a World Cup – as test-quality talent often floods the market following the global tournament – concerns are growing from those at the coal face of recruitment around New Zealand rugby’s ability to continue filling the latest sizeable voids.
Competition from rival sports such as league and basketball is increasingly fierce and as rugby battles to retain teenage boys, the talent pool is under constant pressure from all angles.
Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.