It’s as well that Beauden Barrett appears to have rededicated himself to the first five-eighths position. The Blues might just have found themselves a keeper at fullback as a disappointing Aotearoa campaign has morphed into a promising Trans-Tasman one.
Twenty-year-old rookie Zarn Sullivan was brought in to start on debut for the Blues in their dead-rubber Aotearoa closer against the Chiefs at Eden Park, and made such a good fist of it he has remained there for the first two matches of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman – a 50-3 thumping of the Rebels in Melbourne, followed by a 48-21 home victory over the Waratahs that has catapulted the Auks to the top of the standings.
So well has Sullivan played that he is nigh on an automatic selection for round 3’s clash against the Brumbies at Eden Park on Saturday night where the Blues will be doing their bit to keep alive this perfect Kiwi start to the competition.
Sure, he’s had a misfire here or there, but for the most part he has been a refreshing mix of sound decision-making, safe hands, a hefty left boot and intermittent flashes of brilliance from the back. The latter looks to be emerging more and more prominently in his game.
It was just what the doctor required, too, for a Blues outfit very much chasing Trans-Tasman redemption after a 4-4 Aotearoa campaign that represented a major step backwards from the promise of 2020.
For Sullivan, a Hawke’s Bay product who wrapped up a standout schoolboy career at Auckland’s King’s College, patience has been his primary requirement in a rookie campaign where he has been eased into the fray. The same has applied to fellow backs AJ Lam and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, and hooker Soane Vikena who have all been nursed through their first seasons at this level.
But now would appear to be their time, with the pressure valve eased slightly against the notably weaker Australians. Sullivan and Lam are both starting, and the other two coming off the bench, as coach Leon MacDonald has kept a loose eye on the future as he takes care of the present at the same time.
Sullivan, whose older brother Bailyn is forging his own career with the Chiefs, is loving it, telling Stuff he feels ready to contribute after a campaign where he has been allowed to develop at his own pace.
