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Sexton's 'freak' Barrett verdict and how ABs have altered defence
Johnny Sexton has saluted his fellow Test centurion Beauden Barrett, describing the All Blacks talisman as an opponent with one particular freak aspect to his game. The 30-year-old Barrett made his 100th Test appearance for New Zealand in their October 30 win over Wales in Cardiff while Sexton matched this centurion milestone when he led Ireland to their comprehensive win over Japan last Saturday.
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Now the pair of long-serving players are on track to meet each other next weekend in Dublin even though there is the potential that their clash might not be a head-to-head collision due to Richie Mo’unga being in the selection conversation as to who will wear the All Blacks No10 jersey.
Barrett has come up against Sexton in nine of his All Blacks appearances so far, taking on Sexton with Ireland on six occasions and also facing him three more times during the 2017 Lions tour. The New Zealander has been more successful, the All Blacks winning five and drawing once in those nine encounters, and the 36-year-old Irishman had nothing but the utmost respect when asked on Tuesday to talk about the Dublin-visiting talisman.
“He is an outstanding player,” said Sexton about Barrett, who has also been featuring regularly for the All Blacks at full-back. “Whether he plays at ten or 15 he brings his strengths to the game. He is just a freak of a runner and he has got a lot of skills as well with it, a great kicking game out of hand, those kick passes that he can do, that small kicking game that he does for himself or for others.
“He is a strong guy. He goes to the line well and he picks a good pass so he has got it all really, a guy we are going to have to look out for whether they go with him at ten or Mo’unga. We are not sure at this stage but I would guess Beauden will be in the team somewhere, so he is obviously a threat and one of their biggest strengths.”
"Faz showed a lot of empathy, the way he replied…"#Ireland #IREvNZL #AutumnNationsSeries #AllBlackshttps://t.co/zBIFDvQBbY
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 9, 2021
Sexton went on to say how familiar much of the threat posed by the All Blacks is, adding how New Zealand assistants Greg Feek and John Plumtree even both coached with Ireland under Joe Schmidt, However, he added there had been a noticeable change in recent times in one particular aspect of play by Ian Foster’s team. “It has,” he said when asked if the All Blacks had changed their defending. “They seem to have put a lot of emphasis on their defence. They have changed. There used to be a soft linespeed on the edges, they wouldn’t come up but they have changed fully now from what we have seen.
“They are very aggressive from the outside in and they put you under pressure. Something different to play against compared to the past but there are still a lot of similarities with how good they are off turnover and at the breakdown and some of the key individual threats they have. Some things have changed but others haven’t.
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“It’s the intensity they bring to the game, the physicality,” he added about the main threat posed by Foster’s side. “By intensity I mean the speed they play at and at the same time being physical. We know what is coming because we have played against them so many times but there are a few lads that haven’t played against them so we have to fill them in and let them know what it is like out there against them.
“And look, all the focus is on making sure we can get our best performance out there at the weekend. We know what quality they possess, we know their coaches quite well having been coached by Greg Feek and John Plumtree before, we know the strengths they are going to bring. We just have to make sure we were in the best place possible come Saturday.”
PLAYER RATINGS: Ireland impress on Sexton's big day, with some players fully deserving of 9/10 ratings#AutumnNationsSeries #IREvJAP #Ireland https://t.co/xRmlYUDoHB
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 6, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
I think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 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.
14 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.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
11 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,
14 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 comments