Filling the void: Who could replace Beauden Barrett at the Hurricanes?
Confirmation of Beauden Barrett’s shock move from the Hurricanes to the Blues on Friday has brought with it a whirlwind of speculation and commentary within Super Rugby circles.
Undoubtedly one of the biggest transfers in a competition where shifts between teams across the southern hemisphere by star test players is rare, Barrett’s transition from Wellington to Auckland has the potential bring with it several significant ramifications.
Such ramifications include the potential for a vastly increased turn in fortunes for the perennial underperforming Blues, who are still suffering from the longest title drought of all the Super Rugby champions as they continue to wait to add their trophy collection following their most recent triumph in 2003.
Barrett’s move north also brings into question what younger brother Jordie will do come the end if the year.
The 22-year-old utility back is off contract with the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby following this year’s World Cup in Japan, and there will no doubt be plenty of offers on the table with an array of suitors lining up in an attempt to secure his services.
When he signed with the Hurricanes at the end of 2016, the presence of Beauden at the club was a significant contributing factor to his decision to relocate from Christchurch to the capital, but with his older brother now gone, Jordie could decide his future may lie elsewhere.
A product of the Canterbury academy system and having played for their Mitre 10 Cup team three years ago, a shift back to the Garden City to join the Crusaders could be a tempting option, especially with the departure of Ryan Crotty and the retirement of Israel Dagg, which will free up room in the midfield and at fullback for Barrett to utilise.
Having older brother and All Blacks teammate Scott on the Crusaders’ books is another selling point for the back-to-back-to-back reigning champions, while it is also believed that the Highlanders are interested in acquiring the younger Barrett’s signature as they look to replace the long-serving Ben Smith.
What’s arguably more pressing for the Hurricanes, though, is that Barrett’s departure means they will immediately have to focus their attention of finding a replacement at first-five for the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year.
It’s a daunting prospect trying to find someone to fill the void left by someone that possesses as much talent as Barrett, and it’s highly likely that, in the short-term future at least, they won’t be able to fill that role as adequately as the Blues’ new signing did.
In Fletcher Smith and Jackson Garden-Bachop, the Hurricanes still have two young first-fives in their ranks, but it would be an incredible stretch to suggest they could live up to the standard that Barrett provided the Wellingtonians.
Without a bona fide star playmaker at Westpac Stadium for next year, and with a spot vacant in that position leading into next year, the Hurricanes will be forced to search afar in a bid to reduce the damage caused by Barrett’s deficit.
The franchise’s CEO Avan Lee confirmed on Friday in the wake of Barrett’s transfer announcement that the club had received interest from offshore-based Kiwi first-fives who were keen on returning to New Zealand with the Hurricanes.
“We’ve over the last four to six weeks been aware that Beauden may well leave, so we’ve been working on a couple of other people,” he said.
“We’ve lost some quality players over the last couple of years because of the influence Beauden and [halfback] TJ [Perenara] have had in their two positions. That can work in reverse. We’ve had some interest from offshore from quality players who are now very interested in coming to the Hurricanes because they see an opportunity to compete for a position that probably wasn’t available for the last five or six years.
“We’ve just got to move on. We’re disappointed, but we totally respect Beauden and his decision. We can’t dwell on it. He’s played 125 games for the club, been a key part of our first title and we’re sorry to see him go, but we’ve got to now do what is in the best interests of the club and those wheels are in motion already.”
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Although he didn’t list any names, Lee’s comments must surely be a source of excitement for Hurricanes fans, who will still be deflated by the loss of their key man.
It indicates that rather than having to plough through the Mitre 10 Cup in hope of a picking up a prodigiously talented youngster, or pushing hard for the development of Smith and Garden-Bachop in the hope of them achieving the unrealistic goal of performing to the level of which Barrett operates at, they can instead call upon an quality, proven Kiwi pair of hands from overseas.
And there are plenty of options on the table.
Two of the more notable New Zealand playmakers based abroad are former All Blacks Lima Sopoaga and Aaron Cruden, both of whom have strong links to the Hurricanes and Wellington.
Sopoaga still has a year left on his contract with Premiership outfit Wasps, but his debut campaign in Europe has been widely labelled as a flop by various media outlets in the United Kingdom.
Commanding a big salary as an ex-All Black, Wasps may be enticed to release Sopoaga from his contract, especially if the Hurricanes come calling, which could be an intriguing offer for the 28-year-old, who was born and raised in Wellington before shifting south to join the Highlanders in Dunedin at the end of 2010.
Cruden is another who could be lured back to the capital, despite unconfirmed rumours of his signing with Top League club Kobe Steelers.
Should the Montpellier man sign a deal to play in Japan, it would be unlikely that he’d be available for Super Rugby action, but with the deal yet to be confirmed, the Hurricanes could make a play for the 50-test All Black, who called Wellington his home during a two-season stint with the side between 2010 and 2011.
If he does commit to Kobe, though, then that could free up Sunwolves star Hayden Parker.
The uncapped 28-year-old was a revelation for the Japanese Super Rugby side this year, with his astute goal kicking among the best in the world, while his improved running game helped make the Sunwolves one of the most enterprising and exciting attacking teams in the competition.
Also signed with the Kobe Steelers, Parker struggled for game time last season as he was forced to ride the pine behind new recruit Dan Carter en route to the club’s title-winning success.
The addition of Cruden to their first-five stocks would mean Parker’s faint hopes of game time would virtually become non-existent, and with the future of the Sunwolves restricted to just one more season, a return to New Zealand would appear to be favourable for the former Highlanders pivot, who was also believed to be in the sights of the Blues prior to the Barrett signing.
One would imagine any one of those three expat Kiwis would be welcomed by the Hurricanes following Barrett’s exit, with the starting 10 jersey open to take, which is a rarity in New Zealand Super Rugby.
If Lee’s comments are anything to go by, then negotiations seem like they are already as the Hurricanes look to replace the best first-five in the club’s history.
But, with nothing set in stone and plenty of options available to them, all that can be said for now is to watch this space.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
This looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to comments