Barrett v Mo'unga: Master v Apprentice
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.
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.
Watch Crusaders backs coach Ronan O’Gara discuss the Super Rugby semi-final:
Comments on RugbyPass
I agree ..come on keyboard warriors and journalists looking for a cheap win ….. only 2 mins to go 12 points down …this DID NOT decide the game and beside JM was hit after the whistle and in response it was a pat on the back of the head …harmless ….watch soccer if this is your issue
4 Go to commentsRest is for namby pamby sissies, I see. True men should overcome their trifling injuries by playing week in, week out. Bidwell’s stance reminds me of a Jon Gadsby character from the 70s, a rugby captain giving an after-match speech: “It was a very physical contest. One of our players caught a boot on the back of his head in a ruck, and he died, actually. But to his credit, he played on.”
1 Go to commentsI still see nothing in Sotutus play that hes changed his upright running style that failed so many times against decent international defences like the french. Other than that… Iose? Well you have covered his limitations well. If Sititi had been playing the the season… Jacobson? Grace?…Neither shout pick me. So Ardie it is.
1 Go to commentsThere isn’t one element you mentioned there that every top class or successful team gets up to. The great All blacks sides used to play on the ‘fringes or edge’ but it was essentially saying they were doing something illegal or borderline to gain dominance. The fine margins at the top are minute between the top sides. La Rochelle, the crusaders, Saracens, Toulon etc etc…..have all been accused. Get over it, the comment comes across as salty and naive. Northampton as well as they played to get back into the match were thoroughly beaten and controlled for 60 minutes and Leinster have only themselves to blame for kicking it away and hence losing control of the match and being nearly the architects of their own downfall.
2 Go to commentsThere is some talent coming thru thats for sure. The 10 looks special to me. Rico Simpson is a name to look for in the future.
1 Go to commentsI think this quiet honestly is just an innocent misunderstanding by someone who is pig sh*t stupid. Eben is a fine player but by christ, if he can’t understand or get what the Irish players were trying to say to him after the match…..well i hope he has someone looking after his finances, career and is reading the fine print for him, cause life after rugby may be quite difficult for the vacuous echo chamber.
27 Go to commentsIt could be Doris' day!
3 Go to commentsThe whole thing has blown up because Eben’s words have clearly struck a nerve in Ireland. Otherwise they would just laugh it off. I think some former Irish players, commentators and some Irish fans know deep down this Ireland team started to believe its own press and that a certain amount of arrogance had started to creep in during the World Cup. The topic was actually brought up by Irish pundits on Off the Ball recently. It’s fine to be arrogant if you can back it up. Ireland didn’t.
27 Go to comments‘The Irish are good people'. Why is Goode praising a people who hate his own? Wet wipe.
27 Go to commentsLa mejor final que se puede ver en el emisferio norte.
1 Go to commentsA lot of cope from south africans in the comments. Etzebeth is a liar and a hypocrite; you don’t have to defend him!
27 Go to commentsHe got big and really slow for a flyhalf…not sure he’s relevant in a bok conversation anymore
4 Go to commentsBest tourney team vs best team in the regular season for 3 games in RSA - talk is cheap, let’s see what’s what on the tour
27 Go to commentsOne overlooked statistic from their 2016 winning season is the Huricanes are still the only team in Super rugby history not to concede a try during the playoff rounds.
4 Go to commentsThanks for the article, Nick. The Nienaber blitz D does ask a lot of its scrumhalf. I have been watching JGP on D and he often looks like he has mastered what Nienaber asks for better than Faf de Klerk and Cobus Reinach! 🤣 Impressive season by JGP if I must make an understatement.
22 Go to commentsOkay last one. I promise. I think it’s despicable for Andy Goode to suggest that Eben can’t count to 12. To be fair he only had to count to 8 - the number of Irishmen who DIDN’T say that. Less the 3 kiwis of course. 23 - 12 - 3 = 8. See Joe. I can do maffs.
27 Go to commentsCheers, Nick! How do you see the Reds’ Jock Campbell’s play this year? Not as strong a carrier as Andrew Kellaway or Tom Wright, but does avoid errors. Do you see Joe Schmidt as wanting safety first at 15 or a try-assisting counterattacker?
91 Go to commentsI’m sure this was all just a big misunderstanding. Irishmen and Afrikaaners conversing in a noisey stadium. Not easy to get the right messages across. A minefield.
27 Go to commentsSay what you will about Andy Goode. But he is right about one thing… I’m not sure what that one thing is exactly… but I’m willing to hear him out.
27 Go to commentsAnother article to bait and trigger Irish fans. This must stop.
27 Go to comments