'Is there a better fullback than Jordie Barrett?' - Fans on Twitter praise the star fullback after his dominant performance vs Highlanders
A truly perfect performance is widely regarded as an impossible feat in sport, but Hurricanes fullback Jordie Barrett got pretty close to that mark in his sides crucial win over the Highlanders on Friday.
To put it simply, you couldn’t’ really fault his performance.
The 24-year-old finished the night with a 30-point haul, including a hat-trick of tries – but that’s just one aspect of a well-rounded, outstanding performance.
Barrett also had a try-saving tackle on Highlanders winger Freedom Vahaakolo in the first-half, and was impressive with the boot, both off the tee and out of hand.
Less than a week after Richie Mo’unga broke his own record, Jordie Barrett has set a new record for the most points in a Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa match. ?
How good was Jordie on Friday night? pic.twitter.com/0p01GpBDCA
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) March 27, 2021
He was perfect from his six attempts at goal, and as he’s done before, made kicking long-range penalties look relatively simple. Barrett’s kicking during play also helped the visitors keep on top of the Highlanders, with his towering torpedoes proving very effective.
The 30-19 win was the Hurricanes’ first win this Super Rugby Aotearoa season, which keeps their hopes of winning it all, alive for now.
Fans have been praising the incredible individual performance on Twitter, with some fans calling for his selection in the 15 jersey for the All Blacks when test rugby returns.
But arguably one of the standout tweets came from former Super Rugby second-rower Joe Wheeler, who gave Barrett a new nickname which he’s well and truly deserving of.
Jordie Barrett is now officially going to be known as “The Diffrence” #HIGvHUR
— Joey Wheeler (@joey_wheelz) March 26, 2021
I would love to see Jordie Barrett play like this for the All Blacks so we can all benefit from his amazing skills. #HIGvHUR
— Scotty Donaldson (@scottd_sports) March 26, 2021
Please play Jordie Barrett at fullback for the All Blacks #HIGvHUR
— Henry Rounce (@Henry_Rounce) March 26, 2021
Is there a better fullback than Jordie Barrett? #HIGvHUR #SuperRugbyAotearoa
— Stephen Phillips (@StevePhillipsXV) March 26, 2021
Jordie Barrett is putting in a shift! #HIGvHUR
— Vusi Gubeni (@Vusi_Gubeni) March 26, 2021
Jordie Barrett walking in to the changes room after that. What a shift that man put in #HIGvHUR pic.twitter.com/0CTy94EpER
— Clare Molloy (@ClareeMolloy) March 26, 2021
Jordie Barrett laying claim to ownership of Forsyth Barr#HIGvHUR
— Scott (@MadMaclegend) March 26, 2021
Me yday: I actually think Jordie Barrett is really overrrated
Jordie Barrett in the first hour today: Hattrick of tries, 2 penalties from halfway and 100% conversions
All 27 pts as Hurricanes lead 27-7#HIGvHUR
— J.B. Claims (@jbclaims) March 26, 2021
Its the Highlanders vs Jordie Barrett. #HIGvHUR
— Malcolm Dixon-Searle (@SearleDixon) March 26, 2021
Jordie Barrett ?? #HIGvHUR
— matolo vitolo (@_martinjoroge_) March 26, 2021
Some high quality free analysis for you – Jordie Barrett is a bit good
— Jonny McGinty (@spacemanjonny) March 26, 2021
jordie barrett really beat the landers 30-19 ?
— EF3 (@ef3baybay) March 27, 2021
I haven’t seen a player as important to a side as Jordie Barrett is to the Hurricanes.
— Thoughts On Sports (@NealHoogwerf) March 26, 2021
Jordie Barrett gave an absolute masterclass this morning
— cathal fennessy (@cathalfennessy) March 26, 2021
After 10 minutes, Barrett was scoring at a point a minute on his own. Not only had he converted an early penalty, but he crossed for his first try in the 9th minute before converting that as well.
His first five-pointer was the result of a clever set-piece play off an attacking lineout for the Hurricanes, which saw them find space out-wide. Barrett then threw a dummy, before backing his pace to get him to the line.
But after the Highlanders had struck back to trail by just three late in the first half, Barrett crossed for his second shortly after.
The Canes were looking threatening on attack, but the try-scoring play was both created and scored by the fullback. He sent Salesi Rayasi through a gap inside the Highlanders 22, before a superb offload from the winger saw Barrett cross again under the sticks.
Barrett then completed his hat-trick on the other side of the half-time break, scoring in the 44th minute. Another great attacking play saw inside-centre Ngani Laumape switch direction, before sending the fullback over for the try.
Another highlight play saw Barrett convert a 51-metre penalty, which looked as if it could’ve gone over from another 10-metres back.
Jordie Barrett Hat-Trick ? #SuperRugbyAotearoa #HIGvHURpic.twitter.com/2c7dZSB96T
— Saffas Abroad Rugby ??? (@SaffasRugby) March 26, 2021
After his player of the match performance, Barrett said that “things just went my way tonight”, instead, seeming more pleased with the Hurricanes getting their first win of the season.
He did, however, make his opinion quite clear when discussing his position of choice.
“I’m not keeping any secrets about where I want to play. Everyone knows I want to play 15 and I’m enjoying playing 15 for the Hurricanes.”
The Hurricanes will be looking to make it back-to-back wins next weekend when they face the Blues at Eden Park.
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf 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 commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis 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.
5 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 comments