Bet on Brett for Blues first-five

EXCLUSIVE: Stephen Brett will play for the Blues next season.

After missing out on Juan Martin Hernandez, Aaron Cruden, Jonny Wilkinson, Mike Delany and Dan Carter, the Pat Lam-coached side has at last been able to land a quality first-five to steer the team next season.

Brett gave the first hint he may not be at the Crusaders next season when he told Sunday News last week that he was looking around.

"Obviously, we're in talks at the moment," he said.

"My heart is set on the Crusaders but obviously Dan Carter is there."

Sunday News understands Brett has agreed to make the shift north, in a move that will guarantee him more game time and put him in the frame for the All Blacks.

If Brett wanted to see what it would be like playing in a Crusaders squad that also included Carter and Colin Slade, he only has to look at what's happened at Canterbury this season where he spent most of the first part of the season on the reserves bench watching Carter in action.

At the Blues Brett will have the security that the starting jersey will be his, with Daniel Bowden acting as his back up.

Sunday News columnist and former All Black Frank Bunce says this is a win/win for Brett and the Blues.

"It's a good move for him because it gets him out from behind the shadow of Dan Carter," Bunce said.

"He hasn't fulfilled the promise he had when he first burst onto the scene a few years ago. But by getting more game time and being the out and out No 1 at a franchise he'll be able to grow.

"It's also a good move for the Blues. Pat Lam has been looking around for a first-five for a while and even though they've been turned down by a few players, he's eventually landed a good one in Stephen.

"My only worry isn't on the rugby side of it, it's just the lures of Auckland. There are so many more distractions for a player in Auckland that can take your focus away from rugby and lead you into trouble."

Meanwhile, Sunday News understands Waikato and the Chiefs are closing in on signing Blues prop Tony Woodcock.

North Harbour are struggling to meet Woodcock's salary demands as the NZRU won't pay 75% of his provincial contract next season.

In other potential moves, Sunday News understands Canterbury are going all out to sign centre Robert Fruean from Wellington.

The 2007 IRB Under 19 Player of the Year looks destined for great things but with Conrad Smith firmly in place as the Hurricanes centre, he'll struggle for game time at the Wellington-based franchise, while the Crusaders are desperate to find a replacement for Casey Laulala.