'It's a bit overdue': Jason Holland explains the return of Hurricanes half-centurion and sheds light on Jordie Barrett conundrum
The Hurricanes, like many other New Zealand Super Rugby teams, have a little bit of a pickle on their hands.
In some positions, they’re bursting to the seams with talent – that’s allowed them to regularly rest and rotate some of their key players while never having to field an underdeveloped line-up.
There is, however, one player in their side that’s so integral to the team’s success, they simply can’t afford to be rested.
That player is All Blacks outside back Jordie Barrett, who’s started every match this season at fullback – as well as the Hurricanes’ final six games in last year’s competition, once he returned from a niggling back injury.
Barrett is such a key cog in the Hurricanes line-up, thanks in part to his excellent playmaking skills – which are integral thanks to the absence of an experienced No 10 – but also due to his deadly goalkicking.
The 24-year-old likely has the biggest boot in the country and is a threat anywhere inside the attacking half, which is likely why Hurricanes coach Jason Holland has been so resistant to resting his star player.
With bonus points likely to factor into which teams make the grand final of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, Holland has been reluctant to give Barrett a break – and the toughest matches are still ahead for the Wellingtonians.
That’s not to say that Holland has overlooked the issue entirely, however.
“We’ve looked to release Jordie of the last 15 minute of the last couple of games,” Holland said following Thursday’s team naming, “but yeah it’s definitely something we’re aware of.
“And he’s a bit of a greyhound in that he wants to keep going – and he goes pretty well. We’ll keep being smart about it.”
Just a little bit of extra firepower to really test the Brumbies in Auckland ? #SuperRugbyTT #BLUvBRUhttps://t.co/gsELYy16iK
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Barrett will again line up at fullback when the Hurricanes takes on the Western Force in Napier this weekend but if his side sew the match up early, Barrett may find himself called to the sidelines with 22-year-old Billy Proctor likely to take his place at the back of the field.
There’s another familiar figure on the bench for the Hurricanes this weekend too, with Vince Aso set to make his first appearance of the year.
The 51-cap utility back has been a regular in the Hurricanes midfield over the past few years but found his spot being occupied by youngsters Proctor and Peter Umaga-Jensen last season.
He’s one of the many players in the squad who are victims of the team’s significant depth in a number of positions, including the outside backs – but with a handful of club games under his belt, Holland now believes it’s time for Aso to shine.
“He’s had three or four club games now and been sharp in all of them,” Holland said. “He’s just another option for us on the wing and he’s been dying to get an opportunity and he’s worked himself into a space now where he can play Super footy through his club games and what he’s done here. It’s a bit overdue but it’s good to see him out there.”
Aso’s and Proctor’s abilities to cover multiple positions leaves the home team in good stead for Friday’s match, with plenty of options for how to deploy the backline.
“We’ve got Billy on the bench as well so it gives us flexibility there,” said Holland. “Obviously, if we had a winger go off in the first 10 minutes, Vinny would go onto the wing.
“As far as later in the game, we have flexibility to do what we feel there. Vinny’s all over the centre role and the wing role and Billy’s all over the 13 and 15 roles so they can slot in whatever we need.”
Friday’s match kicks off at 7:05pm NZT from Napier.
Comments on RugbyPass
Hopefully this will mean a new Auckland league team to support in the west. Big Warriors fan but it’s very, very stale on that front and I’d like the option of another team if it was to watch league again. League needs to step up BIG time if its to get anywhere, another AK team and something from the capitol or south is a must for the game.
3 Go to commentsGood, deep interview, nice job Frankie!
1 Go to commentsNRL players don’t have anywhere near the number of Tests. Some people would be happy having Rest Homes full if 40 yo ex-players walking, or hobbling more like it, into walls. It’s just a game!
4 Go to commentsNOW Razor is worried about ABs getting injured or overplayed! Didn’t bother him last year. He happily played his AB Crusaders.
4 Go to commentsWhat is the World Rugby U20 players born year.
2 Go to commentsMuch like the Chiefs finally gave up waiting for Atu Moli to ever not be injured, you have to wonder if the Chiefs and Crusaders will let Josh Lord and Ethan Blackadder go next season. They’re being well paid to sit in the injury ward every year. Better off putting those funds towards someone who might actually play.
6 Go to commentsShowed better basic skills than some nz Super sides, who probably would have botched some of those backline moves. This tournament really is too short though. Needs more teams, or have them play two rounds to properly prepare them for the near full-time NH U20 sides.
4 Go to commentsGood grief it’s only six months. Probably just upset it’s not an established kiwi entering their prime they can “project” into green to join the rest.
1 Go to commentsGood player but far from being best in the world. That's an exaggeration. Perhaps Best in world by Northern Hemisphere standards and biasis but certainly not Southern Hemi standards
3 Go to commentsWell one thing about World Cup knock out rounds and Ireland is very clear: they won’t be getting ahead of themselves in ‘27! Because making it beyond the QF is well and truly ‘IN THEIR HEADS’ now…😉
71 Go to commentsHas this guy been dope tested? Sounds like a case of “roid rage”.
1 Go to commentsI would like to see him say that to Eben face to face in a dark alley.
71 Go to commentsYep, lost in translation. There are arrogant people in Ireland, yes. As there are arrogant people in every country, but as a nation, arrogance is not a general characteristic in Ireland. There has not really had a strong representation for any global sport over the years, and hence arrogance is not endemic to Irish people in this regard. I seriously doubt that was said or meant by 12 or 13 players. If it was said, it would have been said in jest and to pay Etzebeth and the Springboks a compliment for how hard fought the game was.
71 Go to commentsOne of the few Bidwell articles I can agree with. If coaches played their players through niggles and consistently played them 80mins then you could make an argument for resting protocols - they obviously don’t and are incredibly responsible, let’s give up the resting nonsense and let the boys play.
4 Go to commentsDaniel Gallan, please for the love of all that is holy, stop writing about rugby. Or at the very least stop telling people you are South African.
21 Go to commentsThis Dr.Rassie 6-2 filth is spreading. We need to ask World Rugby to ban something
1 Go to commentsPity he couldn’t call him a liar to his face, such a brave man.
71 Go to comments“You ain’t counting to 12 or 13 straight after a game, son!” Just because you don’t doesn’t mean everyone else doesn’t “I reckon if anyone said it they would have said, ‘Hopefully, see you in the final’.” Oh, you “reckon”, do you? You weren’t there, you weren’t part of the conversation but you know what was said… Id10T
71 Go to commentsNZ has such a rich history of quality number nines, and woman beaters.
1 Go to commentsThat’s what happens when you are scared of scrums
3 Go to comments