Otere Black has played more games for College Old Boys in Manawatu club rugby this year than he has for the Hurricanes.

OPINION: If the Blues want Otere Black to move north, he should be banging on the Hurricanes' coaching staff's door to ensure it happens.

The Hurricanes have criminally under-played the promising 21-year-old first five-eighth since locking him into a two-year deal with the franchise in July last year.

Black has been injury-free this year, but has only been named on the bench three times and racked up a total of 24 minutes of rugby.

Scott Barbour If Otere Black, centre, returns to the Hurricanes, the best he can hope for is a regular spot on the bench.

The Manawatu playmaker was highly-rated following his performances for the Hurricanes, the Turbos and the New Zealand under-20s last year, but since then he has been largely restricted to club rugby.

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As a young No 10, it is tough to develop your read of the game when you are stuck in the stands week after week.

A regular starting spot in the Hurricanes was always unlikely for Black once Beauden Barrett announced he was giving the Olympic sevens programme a miss, but Black has too much talent to not even be on the bench.

The message from the Hurricanes' coaching staff has been that they only need one back-up first five-eighth in the team each week and with James Marshall the preferred starting fullback, he ticks the box.

But rumours have started to circulate that now the Blues have missed out on Barrett, they are keen to lure Black north and are even willing to buy out his contract.

With a move to the Blues would come a regular starting spot in the No 10 jersey outside Augustine Pulu and inside Sonny Bill Williams and George Moala.

A lot has changed at the Blues since Black signed his deal with the Hurricanes.

While their results have not been great, they now appear to have a direction and a solid young nucleus who will grow together.

The team also has a positive Tana Umaga-led culture, something severely missing during the latter stages of John Kirwan's tenure.

Speaking to players who have served under Umaga's guidance, they rave about Umaga's coaching, leadership and communication.

He may be young in his coaching career, but he already demands respect.

In Counties Manukau rugby, he is revered at the same level as Jonah Lomu and Joeli Vidiri, which is high praise.

And the fact he has already attracted three of his former Counties Manukau charges to join the team - Williams, Pulu and Jimmy Tupou, not to mention the possibility of the side adding Tim Nanai-Williams as well - is evidence of the respect he commands

The Hurricanes are losing James Marshall next year which should open up a bench spot for Black, but he is better than playing off the bench.

He needs to gamble on himself and trust he has the ability to give the Blues what they have lacked since Carlos Spencer left town, a first five-eighth capable of controlling the team.

Like the Highlanders were able to turn around their form in the mid-2000s, the Blues' revival is inevitable.

It is all about working out when is the right time to jump on board.

​For Black, this is an opportunity to be part of the Blues' renaissance.

An opportunity to start walking a path to uncovering his full potential as a starting Super Rugby player and future All Black No 10.

Or, he could spend another season stuck in the background at the Hurricanes and slip further into obscurity.

His table-topping Manawatu club side College Old Boys, also the home of Aaron Cruden, will be happy for the latter so they can keep enjoying his services.

But club rugby is not a place for a player with Black's skills and potential.