Rugby: Bowden quietly departs Blues

Blues 1st5 Dan Bowden looks to step Brumbies flanker Scott Fardy during the Blues and Brumbies Super Rugby match at Eden Park, Auckland. 10 April 2015. Photo / Jason Oxenham.

Daniel Bowden arrived at the Blues with the standard flurry of optimism from the franchise.

His exit triggered just one line in a press release which announced the arrival of Male Sa'u, the former Counties Manukau utility who moved to Japan in 2008 and was one of their prominent players at the World Cup.

On his return to the Blues last year, Bowden battled injury which bit into his chances of challenging for more regular work in the Blues but the publicity about his ability and his production never met.

It was another classic case of hype over-taking reality.

Bowden and Benji Marshall were signed and failed to ignite, they could not get the best out of Ma'a Nonu while Malakai Fekitoa and Waisake Naholo were let go to flourish elsewhere.

It was part of a Blues malaise which deteriorated to 16 wins from 45 matches under John Kirwan's command.

Next campaign? The Blues have players on their roster with question marks about their calibre who need to prove their value to the group and justify their promotion or retention as Super rugby talent.

There will be player failures. It is an occupational hazard. Injury, competition, circumstance and bad luck are factors which permeate each sports season and it's how you manage those issues which reflect on the coaches and the original selection decisions.