8 Aug 2013

No Beauden but Benji to Blues soon

10:53 am on 8 August 2013

The Hurricanes first five Beauden Barrett has committed to the Super Rugby franchise for next season.

The 22-year-old had been courted by the Blues, but Barrett has decided to stay with the team that he debuted for in 2011.

Barrett Tweeted that he's committed to the Hurricanes and feels they have unfinished business.

The Taranaki number 10 had been weighing up a shift north to join his brother and provincial captain Kane at the Blues.

The decision now clears the way for Kiwis and Wests Tigers rugby league playmaker Benji Marshall to complete a move that has been signposted over the past week.

Media outlets are reporting that Marshall has verbally agreed to join the Blues and that an announcement will be made either before or after his Tigers' NRL clash at Parramatta on Friday night in Sydney.

Most reports say Marshall has been offered a two-year contract, in the vicinity of $500,000 per season.