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Barrett v Mo'unga: Master v Apprentice

By Online Editors
Richie M'ounga lines up Beauden Barrett during last year's semi-final. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Patrick McKendry / NZ Herald

New Zealand’s two premier playmakers generally meet as rivals at this time of year, with Crusader Richie Mo’unga usually outperforming Hurricane Beauden Barrett due in part to what Steve Hansen believes is the former’s advantage of playing behind a “Rolls Royce” pack. But who will shine in tomorrow’s Super Rugby semifinal? Patrick McKendry has a guess.

Forward pack

In theory this is a knockout victory for Mo’unga because the Crusaders’ pack is the All Blacks‘ pack in disguise. Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett and Matt Todd are experienced internationals, with the hard-working Whetukamokamo Douglas the only non-capped player in the home side’s pack. Ardie Savea and Dane Coles are the Hurricanes’ highest-profile forwards but there’s no doubt about their quality.

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Mo’unga takes this 10-8

Backline firepower

Closer, but the Crusaders shade it due to their superb midfield of Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue and their in-form back trio of Sevu Reece, David Havili and George Bridge. Braydon Ennor is on the bench and there’s no room at all for Will Jordan. The Hurricanes have serious quality in TJ Perenara, Ngani Laumape and Jordie Barrett but will miss the injured Matt Proctor and Wes Goosen. Inexperienced wing Salesi Rayasi brings power but also defensive vulnerabilities.

Mo’unga 10-9

Experience

Not even close. Barrett wins this round via his 73 tests v Mo’unga’s nine, and his nine years at the Hurricanes. Barrett has also attended a World Cup, and in fact shone in the final against the Wallabies at Twickenham four years ago, so he knows what it takes to win in all sorts of situations. In Mo’unga’s favour is his quick development since taking over the role from Dan Carter and his experience in leading the Crusaders to two titles and three finals series in three years.

Barrett 10-8

Kicking game

This is close, but Barrett clinches it due to his greater consistency off the tee this season compared with Mo’unga: 79.6 per cent v 73.9 per cent. Mo’unga has improved significantly in this aspect of his game, and kicked at 100 per cent last weekend in the quarter-final against the Highlanders, but was slow to get in the groove. In terms of kicks from hand and the vision to see space and opportunities for their teammates, it’s very close between the pair. Barrett could look to his tall little brother Jordie on the flanks, while Mo’unga could see chances for the high-leaping Sevu Reece.

Barrett 10-9

Overall performance this season:

Barrett was a late arrival to the Hurricanes this season due to an extended break and has played 12 matches, three fewer than Mo’unga, who has again been a model of consistency. Mo’unga just edges this for that reason. He is so influential that even the Crusaders miss him when he’s unavailable – for example in their loss to the Waratahs in Sydney – and his passing game is probably slightly superior to Barrett’s. He’s also beaten 42 defenders compared with Barrett’s 21.

Mo’unga 10-9

And the winner is…

A close one but Mo’unga remains in the driver’s seat of the Roller. Crusaders forwards coach Jason Ryan said this week that the Crusaders had delivered their best training session in three years, which may be significant, or may not be. Either way, Mo’unga is probably going to get better opportunities than his rival, and he has the quality to make the most of them.

Mo’unga 47-46

This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and is republished with permission.

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Watch Crusaders backs coach Ronan O’Gara discuss the Super Rugby semi-final:

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j
john 33 minutes ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

But here in Australia we were told Penney was another gun kiwi coach, for the Tahs…….and yet again it turned out the kiwi coach was completely useless. Another con job on Australian rugby. As was Robbie Deans, as was Dave Rennie. Both coaches dumped from NZ and promoted to Australia as our saviour. And the Tahs lap them up knowing they are second rate and knowing that under pressure when their short comings are exposed in Australia as well, that they will fall in below the largest most powerful province and choose second rate Tah players to save their jobs. As they do and exactly as Joe Schmidt will do. Gauranteed. Schmidt was dumped by NZ too. That’s why he went overseas. That why kiwi coaches take jobs in Australia, to try and prove they are not as bad as NZ thought they were. Then when they get found out they try and ingratiate themselves to NZ again by dragging Australian teams down with ridiculous selections and game plans. NZ rugby’s biggest problem is that it can’t yet transition from MCaw Cheatism. They just don’t know how to try and win on your merits. It is still always a contest to see how much cheating you can get away with. Without a cheating genius like McCaw, they are struggling. This I think is why my wise old mate in NZ thinks Robertson will struggle. The Crusaders are the nursery of McCaw Cheatism. Sean Fitzpatrick was probably the father of it. Robertson doesn’t know anything else but other countries have worked it out.

13 Go to comments
A
Adrian 2 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

13 Go to comments
T
Trevor 5 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 9 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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