How Beauden Barrett's new contract with the Blues could impact New Zealand rugby
News of Beauden Barrett’s move to the Blues has come as a surprise to many, given the obvious factors that were keeping him in Wellington.
Barrett, however, was quick to note that reasons external to rugby played a major part in his decision, as they should.
With the Hurricanes, the Tarankai first-five knew what lay ahead of him. Next year the franchise’s biggest losses – excepting Barrett – will be Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Matt Proctor and Nehe Milner-Skudder.
The Hurricanes have ready-made replacements for those players. Tyrel Lomax will join the team from the Highlanders and can slot straight onto the tighthead side of the scrum, whilst Proctor and Milner-Skudder’s absences can be covered by the likes of Vince Aso, Billy Proctor, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Danny Toala, Salesi Rayasi and Chase Tiatia.
In short, the Hurricanes could build on 2019’s semi-final finish and aim to usurp the Crusaders without too much re-building necessary.
The Blues are on the up, right?
Had Barrett remained with the Hurricanes, his season would have faced little disruption. An extended period away from Super Rugby to start the year may have left the Hurricanes with a little bit of catching up to do, but they’d likely still be in a good position to make a charge for the finals upon Barrett’s return.
Who knows what the playmaker will find when he arrives at the Blues late in the season next year?
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The Blues were already realistically out of the running for a playoffs spot three quarters of the way through the 2019 season. It was also arguably one of the easier years to make the playoffs, given the inconsistency from some of Super Rugby’s traditional heavy-hitters.
It’s not unbelievable to think that the Blues will do better next year, but there’s certainly far fewer certainties with the Auckland side than what Barrett would have had down in Wellington.
Barrett’s move, of course, will have incredible repercussions around the New Zealand Super Rugby sides – we can probably expect a greater impact from Barrett switching to the Blues than any individual transfer has ever had on Super Rugby as a whole.
Blues already have ample first five coverage
The Blues are well stocked with three young first fives: Harry Plummer, Otere Black and Stephen Perofeta.
Although all three are signed for the Blues for 2020, it would not be surprising for one of them to be released from their contract to chase more game time elsewhere.
Barrett, Plummer and Perofeta can all cover more than one position in the backline, but there’s probably no point in having four primary first fives in one Super Rugby squad.
The Highlanders have Josh Ioane, Bryn Gatland and Mitch Hunt locked in for 2020 whilst the Crusaders have two All Blacks in Richie Mo’unga and Brett Cameron. The Chiefs and the Hurricanes, however, could be in desperate need of a first five.
Experienced talent needed at other franchises
This year, the Chiefs used Damian McKenzie, Marty McKenzie, Jack Debreczeni, Orbyn Leger and Stephen Donald at 10. Tiaan Falcon was also contracted but was ruled out with injury before the season started.
Damian McKenzie is the only one of those six to have a confirmed contract with the Chiefs for next year – and he’s already signalled that he’d prefer to spend his time at fullback. Warren Gatland will be taking over as coach next year and his credentials could have the sway to lure in a promising player to the region.
The Chiefs will likely look at signing young Waikato and NZ U20s first five Rivez Reihana – but he’s very much a prospect for the future. Stephen Perofeta could be an excellent pick up for the team and would form an exciting partnership with Brad Weber and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi. Given that Perofeta has spent the year out with injury, however he could be a risk pick up.
The Hurricanes are also obviously missing a starting first five now that Barrett is off the books. Fletcher Smith and Jackson Garden-Bachop were both used in Barrett’s absence this year, but neither is yet to really prove themselves at Super Rugby level. Smith has been the better performer in New Zealand’s provincial scene to date, but Garden-Bachop probably made a better fist of his chances for the Hurricanes this year.
The Blues’ Otere Black began his career with the Hurricanes as an understudy to Barrett but moved north to push for a starting role. Perhaps a return to Black’s old franchise could be on the cards for the 24-year-old.
Blues in the box set
As Barrett won’t be available for the Blues until later in the season, they would be foolish to let go of more than one of their five-eighths. As we’ve seen in 2019, a season-ending injury can come at any time and depth plays a huge role in a team’s success.
Barrett’s late arrival may also mean he’s better utilised at fullback for 2020.
Contracting all three of the young first-fives means that the Blues are really in complete control of who they retain and who they let go – but the third or fourth choice 10 at the franchise won’t be very happy if they’re held onto when they could be starting elsewhere.
What about the other Barrett?
Beauden Barrett’s departure could spell further bad news for the Hurricanes, given that Jordie Barrett supposedly first signed with the team so that he could link up with his older brother. Jordie’s contract with New Zealand and the Hurricanes is also up at the end of 2019 and he could be interested in shifting elsewhere, now that Beauden is moving.
When Jordie burst onto the scene for Canterbury he was an absolute revelation. His first year of provincial rugby was arguably more accomplished than his older brothers, but he hasn’t quite developed at the rate that was expected. The Crusaders are masters at developing their talent into world class players, and Barrett’s ability to cover first five, midfield and the outside backs would make him an excellent acquisition, given that the Super Rugby champions are losing Mitch Hunt, Ryan Crotty and Israel Dagg for next season. Older brother and All Blacks teammate Scott is also well-established at the Crusaders.
There are plenty of other teams that would be clamouring for Barrett’s signature given his diverse skillset and obvious promise as a player. With the pull of Beauden no longer a carrot, the Hurricanes may struggle to keep Jordie in the capital.
Now might not be the best time to sign a new contract
Alternatively, Jordie may just want to spend a season earning some cash elsewhere. As a relatively junior player in the All Blacks setup, Jordie likely wouldn’t be able to negotiate the same kind of deal as Beauden, Brodie Retallick or Sam Whitelock, so he won’t be able to keep playing for the All Blacks if he does head overseas for even a season. With a new broadcasting deal likely to come into play in 2021, however, Jordie may find there’s a lot more money available if he waits until that season to sign a new contract with New Zealand Rugby.
Beauden Barrett’s decision to head north to the Blues will have ramifications throughout the country. He already cemented himself as an automatic pick with the All Blacks so he’s unlikely to lose any ground on the national scene, but he may find his Super Rugby successes drop off. Whatever happens on a personal level, his transfer will have a major impact at a number of New Zealand franchises – including at his beloved Hurricanes.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Wasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
30 Go to comments