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Watch: Former Wallaby rival Foley carded for flattening Beauden Barrett but the All Black has last laugh
Former Wallabies flyhalf Bernard Foley has squared off against Beauden Barrett many times at international level, with the first choice flyhalf under Michael Cheika coming off second best on many occasions.
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Foley never tasted Bledisloe Cup success, with the All Blacks keeping the trophy in New Zealand during his entire career. There were some ugly results, particularly from 2016 when Beauden Barrett became New Zealand’s 10 as the Wallabies were succumbed to heavy defeats regularly.
With both players in the Top League, Foley came up against Barrett once again as the Kubota Spears tried to take down the undefeated Suntory Sungoliath.
It didn’t take long for the pair to become reacquainted, as Foley was yellow-carded for a hit that flattened the All Black star and left watchers concerned for his safety.
Trying to spark something on counter attack, Barrett rounded the corner and decided to put a left-foot chip kick in over the top. Foley, defending at fullback, decided to jump in an effort to charge down Barrett’s kick.
The aerial Foley awkwardly collided with Barrett at full-steam, where the horrific clap of the collision was audible through the broadcast. Play was stopped immediately as the stinging shot left the Suntory star clutching his ribs on the ground.
Commentator Ken Laban said Foley ‘was in trouble here’ after suggesting ‘there was some malice in that cheap shot’. Laban further retracted his statement once he saw a replay, downgrading his assessment to ‘unfortunate contact’.
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Bernard Foley saw yellow for this hit on Beauden Barrett 💥
Watch Japan's Top League ad-free, live & on demand on Stan Sport.#SNTvKUB #TopLeague #トップリーグ pic.twitter.com/C3xQMq4NyW
— Stan Sport (@StanSportAU) April 3, 2021
Barrett was able to return to play after an assessment by the match doctor, and went about delivering payback to Foley and his Kubota side.
He went on to score 19 points, including the match-winning try with scores tied 26-all with just two minutes remaining.
Running a line reminiscent of his 2016 form, Barrett exploded onto a short ball on Kubota’s edge, bursting through the gap before outgunning the cover defence to score the defining play.
The match-winning try came just one week after Barrett’s 40-metre penalty goal on the last play of the game sunk Toyota Verblitz. This week’s play handed Kubota their first defeat, and crucially keeps them at bay in the same conference.
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Beauden Barrett is built different 🔥 He comes up clutch two weeks in a row.
Watch Japan's Top League ad-free, live & on demand on Stan Sport.#SNTvKUB #TopLeague #トップリーグ pic.twitter.com/LyRc6puB5X
— Stan Sport (@StanSportAU) April 3, 2021
Suntory’s major recruit is proving to be worth every penny as they look to secure a Top League crown, with Barrett’s starring role the last two weeks keeping the side undefeated and knocking off their two main conference rivals.
The Sungoliath are now six wins from six matches and one of three remaining undefeated teams, along with Kobe Steelers and the Panasonic Wild Knights.
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