'It's obviously my preferred position': Beauden Barrett eyes return to No. 10 following Otere Black injury
Fresh on the back of his side’s thrilling 29-27 defeat to the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday, Blues playmaker Beauden Barrett is already eyeing a return to the No. 10 jersey.
Twice named World Rugby Player of the Year for his breathtaking exploits from first-five, it’s a position Barrett hasn’t started in since the All Blacks‘ Rugby Championship victory over Argentina last year.
Instead, the 29-year-old has been plying his trade at fullback for both the New Zealand national team and the Blues in Super Rugby Aotearoa, forming one half of a dual playmaking axis in both sides.
Whether it’s been with Richie Mo’unga for the All Blacks or Otere Black with the Blues, Barrett has been seen only exclusively in the No. 15 jersey over the past year, which has drawn some criticism in recent weeks.
A nullified impact on attack from the backfield was among the focal points of negative press aimed at Barrett after last week’s defeat to the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Many lamented the fact that, while his vastly improved kicking game had been exemplary in the opening half of the Kiwi domestic competition, the 83-test star’s world-class attacking ability with ball in hand had yet to be seen.
UK scribe Stuart Barnes even went as far to label Barrett playing at fullback as a “liability” while writing for The Times, stating: “New Zealand rugby is in danger of turning one of the most original talents in the history of the sport into a liability.”
While again named to play at fullback against the Hurricanes upon his return to Wellington for the first time since his high-profile transfer last year, the 2016 Super Rugby champion showed glimpses of what he is capable of on attack.
A silky, well-taken try in the ninth minute saw him burst past TJ Perenara and Tyrel Lomax to canter in by the posts after he took the line on at first-receiver from 45 metres out.
Sandwiched between that try, though, were two defensive mishaps on Ngani Laumape, the first of which saw Barrett uncharacteristically skinned for pace on the left wing by the burly second-five.
The second error resulted in Barrett being simply bulldozed by his former Super Rugby teammate, but it is his try-scoring effort that will ease concerns from those who expressed doubt surrounding his attacking prowess since moving to the Blues.
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It highlighted the threat he poses from being able to dictate play so close to the defensive line, which is why many have called for him to return to first-five from fullback.
A first half injury to Black in Saturday’s clash may have paved the way for Barrett to do just that, with the latter speaking of his desire to return to the No. 10 jersey as Blues head coach Leon MacDonald revealed the former was sent to hospital for scans as a result of a collision with Ben Lam.
“He’s had to shoot off to hospital to get a scan on his neck. It’s pretty bad. He wanted to play on. He thinks he’s 110kg and bulletproof,” MacDonald told media at the post-match press conference.
“It’s a pretty sore neck, he can’t turn it. The sensible thing was we subbed him and obviously we’ve got a decent first-five who came on and did a job for us.”
How long Black will be sidelined for is yet-to-be-determined, but the Blues are in good stead should the Maori All Blacks representative be ruled out of action for a lengthy period as Barrett looms as his likely replacement.
“I enjoyed that role and it’s obviously my preferred position. I’ve been training there for the second half of trainings in case Otey got injured I’d be ready for that,” Barrett said.
“I’m just happy to be playing where I can get ball in hand, that’s where I feel that I have more influence.”
That should signal warning signs for the winless Chiefs, who will travel to Auckland to face the Blues next Sunday in a bid to redeem themselves for their 24-12 loss in the reverse fixture in Hamilton last month.
The task of taming Barrett in his favoured position is daunting enough as it is, but throw in the expected returns of Hoksins Sotutu from a knee injury and Caleb Clarke, who attended his grandfather’s tangi this weekend, and the Blues will be heavy favourites to end their run of back-to-back defeats.
“He [Sotutu] is keen to go and we’ll see how he fronts,” MacDonald said.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome 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.
5 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
12 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?
44 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.
12 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
12 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.
12 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 comments