Super Rugby
Blues sign Ihaia West on two-year contract
ESPN Staff
July 7, 2014
Ihaia West has been a revelation for the wayward Blues side this season © Getty Images
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Hawke's Bay's Ihaia West has signed a two-year contract with the Auckland Blues for the 2015 and 2016 Super Rugby seasons. The Maori All Blacks fly-half came into the Blues side in April as injury cover for starting fly-half Baden Kerr, but has since become a revelation for the Blues and has earned the starting No.10 jersey for the last three games.

West has lead the side with aplomb and said his decision to turn down a Super Rugby contract in Australia has 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."

Coach Sir John Kirwan lauded the 22-year-old livewire and was happy to retain his skills for the next two seasons.

"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.

"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."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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