Two and a half seasons of Beauden Barrett on the books is better than nothing
Short-term pain for long-term gain. That’s how the Blues are viewing Beauden Barrett’s Japanese sojourn next season.
The Blues always knew there was a catch in hooking the big fish that is Barrett from the Hurricanes.
They understood Barrett would take a one-season sabbatical at the front end of his four-year agreement with New Zealand Rugby that takes him through to the next World Cup in 2023.
The only question was which overseas club would snare Barrett for 2021, before he returns to the Blues and All Blacks.
Japan, as the destination of choice for elite All Blacks wanting to cash in, was the preferred option, and the Milton Haig-coached Suntory Sungoliath have now landed Barrett’s services on a deal thought to be worth $1.5 million.
Whatever test matches we get this year, don't expect to see Scott Barrett donning the silver fern. #AllBlackshttps://t.co/LXQofuRiAZ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 2, 2020
“We knew about it last year when he signed the contract so it’s been very transparent from day one,” Blues coach Leon MacDonald said. “We’ve always been planning hence we’ve taken extra 10s in our squad.
“Even to the point we knew Beauden wasn’t going to be here next year there was a little bit of that decision making around keeping Otere Black at 10 and Beauden at fullback to help grow Otes for next year as well.
“He goes with our blessings, really, because he has earned the right and we know we’re going to get him back for two more years once he returns so we’re thrilled to have him involved in the long term.”
Midway through this year, Blues fans are only beginning to enjoy the sight of Barrett stalking the backfield. While he’s yet to unleash his dynamic running game Barrett’s composure and tactical kicking influence has been profound in his first three Super Rugby Aotearoa victories.
Losing Barrett next season won’t sit well with everyone, but in the modern age it’s the new norm when attempting to retain New Zealand’s leading players. Brodie Retallick has skipped two Super Rugby seasons with the Chiefs, which includes this year’s All Blacks campaign, in his deal with Kobe Steelers, while Sam Whitelock has just returned from Japan after he stayed on following the World Cup.
From Dan Carter to Richie McCaw, Ben Smith, Jerome Kaino and Ma’a Nonu, New Zealand Rugby has long embraced sabbaticals as a tool to bridge salary gaps and help prolong careers.
The alternative is watching the likes of Charles Piutau, Steven Luatua, Lima Sopoaga sign long-term agreements abroad and become ineligible for the All Blacks.
“It makes sense – we don’t want them to leave our shores for good,” MacDonald said. “A little bit of short term pain in between World Cups allows them to come back and play rugby in New Zealand for New Zealand at the peak of their careers.
“It’s always disappointing when you lose players at 28, 29, 30 when probably their best rugby is being played at that age and they’re contributing the most back to the group with all their experience and learning so to have them involved in the latter part of their career is really important to New Zealand rugby.
“They’ve done a great job in terms of retaining some of their talent.”
Players coming and going from squads can unsettle success. There’s an element of adjustment that comes with getting up to speed and settling into specific structures and game plans. The Blues will undoubtedly be an inferior side without Barrett next year, but MacDonald downplayed the juggling act they signed up to.
“There’s very limited disruption. We have players with long term injuries all the time. It’s very much commonplace in the rugby environment. You just adapt, react, back your squad and make sure you’ve got enough depth.”
With Otere Black, Stephen Perofeta and Harry Plummer on the books for next year the Blues won’t replace Barrett next season and MacDonald said extending Carter’s contract was not in their thinking.
While Black continues to drive the Blues from first five-eighth it’s difficult to see MacDonald switching Barrett from fullback before he leaves for Japan.
“Otes was playing good rugby pre-lockdown and fullback was a good way to introduce Beauden into our game without chucking him straight into the fire. Whether he stays there will depend on injuries, form, and what we want to achieve out of the game with our tactics.
“It was an easy decision to leave Otes at 10 knowing he’s there for next season as well and working alongside Beauden in terms of driving our game.
“It doesn’t mean they are going to stay there forever. Who knows? We’re not locking ourselves into any decisions around selection.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments