'It's not a fluke': Foster explains the key to Beauden Barrett's intercepting ability
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has put down Beauden Barrett’s ability to make momentum-swinging intercepts down to his ‘freakish ability’ to defend two spaces at once.
The All Black first-five showed his free-wheeling spirit in his 100th test for the side, coming up with two big intercept tries to open the scoring and finish the try-scoring in the 54-16 win over Wales in Cardiff.
They were the kind of instinctive plays that Barrett has produced so often over his career, stunning the opposition against the run of play with a magic moment. Foster explained that his unique ability is ‘no fluke’.
“It’s not a fluke, because he does it regularly,” head coach Ian Foster said in the post-match press conference.
“If the fella next to me [Sam Whitelock] tried to go for those intercepts and missed, he wouldn’t have the ability to turn around and run them down over the next 20-metres, where Beaudy’s got that freakish ability to defend two spaces.
“He knows he’s got speed to make up for it.
“I think if you look at all the qualities he’s got, it’s his ability to run fast and be decisive is one of his greatest.”
Despite taking two intercept tries to start and finish the match, a third intercept went begging in the first half which could have seen the first five spend 10-minutes in the bin in his milestone match.
Barrett believes he could have got the ball but on that occasion he left the decision to jump the pass a ‘little bit late’. After review from the TMO, the referees decided on just a penalty which Barrett said he thought was the right call.
“I thought if I accelerated and backed it a little bit sooner I could have probably got it, but I left it a little bit late,” Barrett explained.
“We’ve seen those go either way in terms of the card or not, but I think the right call was made.
“It was a gamble that I took.”
Over Barrett’s career those gambles have produced more often than not. In his 100th test, perhaps it was fitting that he was able to produce two more.
Foster said ‘you couldn’t script it better’ and that he couldn’t be ‘more proud’ of Barrett’s performance, which showed he is still right up there in terms of influence in the international game.
“I don’t mean to be smart, but you saw the game. I thought he was strong, he did what he does,” Foster said.
“I know it’s an eternal debate back at home, we’ve got two if not three outstanding 10s. But I think the main focus should be on Beaudy right now, his 100th game, you couldn’t probably script it better.
“Playing your 100th, getting the opportunity to show some of your skills.
“He guided us through a tense time, but you are always going to get that when you come up here in that first 40-50 minutes, and I couldn’t be more proud of his game.”
Foster wasn’t prepared to rank Barrett in terms of all-time All Black 10s, but described him as ‘pretty special’ and one of the key leaders in the side that is ‘massively important’.
Barrett’s contribution to the side goes a long way off the pitch, in terms of game planning and preparing the team for the upcoming challenge Foster said.
“Beaudy always goes about preparing the team first, then he prepares himself and that’s kind of his flow during the week,” Foster explained.
“He, along with Sam and small group of others, we’ve got some key leaders that are massively important in the culture and keeping the standards of this group, making sure we get the right balance on-and-off the park.
“And then also that we’ve got the right plan to go on the park. Beaudy’s one of a number of guys that contribute heavily into that space, so when they go out, they own the game.
“They’ve been part of the architecture in designing it, and I think you see that with him, that control.
“I think to play his 100th in a pretty special stadium like this was pretty cool. I know he wants many more but let’s just pause and enjoy it. I guess the highlight reels around the world will show it.
“I don’t really want to say where we rank him, but he’s pretty special.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Some 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.
1 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
7 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?
43 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.
7 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
7 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.
7 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
7 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.
7 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 commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to comments