Harry Plummer during the Munster vs New Zealand All Blacks XV at Thomond Park in Limerick, Ireland.
Photo: Bryan Keane/ActionPress
Harry Plummer will be leaving the Blues and his All Black dreams behind, with reports out of France confirming that he has signed with Top 14 club ASM Clermont Auvergne. An official statement from Clermont is expected Wednesday night NZT, this comes after Plummer had been spotted visiting the club’s facilities last week while in France on the current All Black tour.
After an outstanding Super Rugby Pacific campaign, in which he helped the Blues to their first full title in 21 years, Plummer was called into the All Black squad during the Rugby Championship due to his ability to cover first five, second five and fullback, as well as his excellent goal kicking ability.
But the 26-year-old’s only appearance was coming off the bench for the dying minutes of the 31-28 win over the Wallabies in the first Bledisloe Cup test. He recently started both matches for the All Blacks XV on their short tour of Europe.
Clermont was once the employer of current Blues coach Vern Cotter, although this connection is likely to be more of a coincidence given Cotter’s last season there was a decade ago. Plummer will join Pita Gus Sowakula at his new club, another brief All Black many feel was not given much of a chance at test level.
While Plummer’s departure is a loss for the Blues, it is fair to say their playing roster will absorb the blow. They have All Blacks Beauden Barrett and Stephen Perofeta on their books, and Zarn Sullivan can cover first five as well.
However, the move also continues a trend of first fives leaving New Zealand lately, Plummer follows Richie Mo’unga, Fergus Burke and Aidan Morgan, who have all taken up deals in Japan, England and Ireland respectively.
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