Blues can't rely on Beauden Barrett to save their blushes in 2020
Beauden Barrett’s signing with the Blues for 2020 and beyond has been hailed as a huge coup for a franchise that has underperformed for the better part of the last two decades.
Barrett, equally as comfortable at first five or fullback, was one of the All Blacks’s most valuable players in their World Cup campaign last year and is a huge loss for his old franchise, the Hurricanes.
The marquee signing shows that there’s still life in the Blues left. The run of bad form isn’t enough to completely deter players heading to Auckland – providing that there are enough other incentives on the table.
All that being said, Barrett’s signing isn’t quite as straightforward as those made in the past.
As part of Barrett’s new contract, the playmaker will take an extended break from rugby and won’t appear for the Blues until mid-April.
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Further, Barrett has the option of taking a separate sabbatical at a later date.
Those two clauses could result in the former World Rugby Player of the Year turning out for the Blues for just two-and-a-half seasons of his four-year contract.
That aside, it’s still a major boon for the Blues, who will have at their disposal one of the best players in the country.
Barrett’s addition means the Blues certainly won’t be lacking first five options next year.
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Already on their books were Otere Black, Harry Plummer and Stephen Perofeta – although injury kept Perofeta off the park in 2019.
Along with Barrett, 20-year-old Jack Heighton has signed on with the Blues despite not yet suiting up for his local North Harbour province in the Mitre 10 Cup.
All-in-all, there’s a logjam of potential at 10 but not a whole lot of proven talent for when Barrett is unavailable.
Perofeta was long seen as the man who could one day lead the Blues to a Super Rugby title but persistent injuries have hampered his growth. With Black and Plummer both making a good fist of first five in 2019, Perofeta may find his best opportunity for game time at the back of the play in the 15 jersey.
Beauden Barrett will kickstart a new era for the Blues as Rieko Ioane looks to re-establish his credentials in a new position.https://t.co/6ZAB1BvrMg
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 12, 2019
Matt Duffie is the only surviving outside back from last year’s Blues squad, with Melani Nanai heading to England, Michael Collins transferring to the Blues, Caleb Clarke suiting up with the All Blacks Sevens and Jordan Trainor deemed surplus to requirements.
Rieko Ioane is still in the squad, of course, but he’s been named as a midfielder first and foremost.
The absence of experience in the back three gives Perofeta a great shot at making the fullback position his own and would allow the Taranaki product to find the confidence that made him such a promising up-and-comer in the first place.
That leaves Black and Plummer to duke it out for the 10 jersey for another year.
At just 24 and 21 years of age, respectively, there’s ample time for the two to develop into excellent first fives, but that won’t be of much use to the Blues if the pair can’t produce results in 2020.
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The Blues have gone eight years without a playoffs appearance, with their best place finish in that timeframe coming in 2017 when they ended the season as 9th on the ladder.
Barrett could find his new team is already well off the pace for a spot in the finals when he makes his first appearance for the year – which will dull the impact of the star signing’s pull-power from the fans’ point of view.
Regardless, the new recruit will likely find himself operating from the fullback jersey, with his minimal time with the squad unlikely to prepare him for operating a completely new team, after being thrown into the thick of things in the middle of the season.
It’s going to be a disjointed year for the Blues in 2020, with Beauden Barrett’s eventual presence likely to create very obvious ‘before’ and ‘after’ periods for the season. Will the All Blacks be able to help guide Super Rugby’s underperformers to a first finals appearance since 2011? Only time will tell.
WATCH: Beauden Barrett spoke of the year ahead at the 2019 New Zealand Rugby 7s talent show.
Comments on RugbyPass
Quite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
10 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
1 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
10 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
10 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
10 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
10 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
10 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
10 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
10 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
10 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to comments