1
'We've unearthed talent and had great Test window points haul'... Brad Barritt shrugs off Saracens' salary cap row
Brad Barritt’s diplomacy instantly kicked in the second RugbyPass dared to mention the Saracens’ salary cap saga.
ADVERTISEMENT
Wages and how they were accounted for by the Londoners in recent years became the main Premiership story that deflected some focus away from the Six Nations around the same time England’s title chances were severely dented by their costly defeat in Wales.
Headlines were created. Rebuttals issued from on high. For Barritt, though, the hot topic wasn’t something that overly concerned him. “It’s not a focus for us and it’s something that I have been asked not to comment on, so I better not comment,” he said.
“It’s very much focused on what is inside our bubble. Anything that is on the outside is irrelevant. It’s just all about what is inside the four white lines, focusing on what makes us think gets the best out of each other every day and making sure we reach our potential every Saturday.”
The salary cap controversy was a pity in that it took the sheen off the good that Saracens have achieved lately on the pitch minus some of their biggest earners.
(Continue reading below…)
A quick glance at their team line-up for this Saturday’s stellar fixture versus cross-town rivals Harlequins at the London Stadium is a sharp reminder of just how many stars they actually have on their roster.
Five start at the Olympic ground – Grand Slam winner Liam Williams, Sean Maitland, Ben Spencer, Jamie George and Billy Vunipola – with a plethora more to come back in for next weekend’s Champions Cup quarter-final at home to Glasgow.
ADVERTISEMENT
But while their coach-load of internationals were away, the competitive fires were kept burning in a searingly hot fashion that serves as a warning to rival teams in England and Europe entering the business end of the season.
Team's up!
Your Saracens team to take on Harlequins at @LondonStadium on Saturday.
Come on Sarries! ?? pic.twitter.com/1EOgr9A5XK
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) March 22, 2019
The points taken by Saracens during the six rounds of Premiership fixtures played during the two internationals windows underlined the increasing strength in depth that exists in Mark McCall’s trophy-hungry squad.
Whereas last season, the Londoners checked in with just two wins and a mere 10 from 30 points haul that was only ninth best of the league’s dozen sides, they came through this campaign’s Test windows with four wins from six, a 20-point harvest that was only bettered by their top-table rivals Exeter whose number of international call-ups was much less.
Saracens’ improved ability to cope minus their biggest hitters left Barritt chuffed. “The focus from the media might not be there (during these windows) but the focus doesn’t change here. You may not see all the names that are mentioned week in week out during big Premiership weeks, but the opportunity it has given our wider squad has been fantastic.
ADVERTISEMENT
PREMIERSHIP TABLE IN SIX-MATCH TEST WINDOW
2018/19
1. Exeter 24 points (5 wins)
=2. Saracens 20 (4)
=2. Harlequins 20 (4)
4. Gloucester 19 (4)
5. Northampton 17 (3)
=6. Bath 15 (3)
=6. Sale 15 (3)
8. Bristol 14 (2)
9. Wasps 13 (2)
10. Newcastle 12 (3)
11. Worcester 11 (2)
12. Leicester 6 (1)2017/18
1. Wasps 24 points (5 wins)
2. Leicester 21 (4)
3. Exeter 20 (4)
4. Gloucester 19 (3)
5. Worcester 18 (4)
6. Bath 17 (4)
7. Sale 15 (3)
8. Newcastle 14 (3)
9. Saracens 10 (2)
10. London Irish 7 (1)
11. Northampton 6 (1)
12. Harlequins 4 (1)
* Tables constructed from the six rounds of matches during the international window, two rounds in November and four in the Six Nations
“Between the autumn and Six Nations breaks we picked up more Premiership points than we have ever, so it has been a very successful block for us. We also had a very young development team that went all the way to the final in the Premiership Cup and we are really proud of their achievements.
“There has been a lot of good done and we have unearthed some fantastic talent. Whether it is reported on, it doesn’t matter. We have learned a lot about the squad and the players we have at our disposal.”
Some of the newer names quickly roll off the skipper’s tongue. “It would be rude of me not to mention all of them, but you look at the likes of Matt Gallagher, Max Malins, Sean Reffell, Joel Kpoku, Ali Crossdale, Tom Whiteley.
“They are all guys who have been brilliant, guys who are in their first years as professionals, but they have all had fantastic campaigns and they after benefiting from these opportunities.”
What it means is the Saracens squad reunited post-Six Nations knowing there is a double to be won if they get their weekly prep on the money unlike a year ago when they were quickly dethroned as European champions when picked off by Leinster, the eventual winners, in Dublin.
“There were very different circumstances. This year we have qualified as the No1 seed, so we will have a home fixture. As a squad we’re in a lot healthier position than last year. We snuck in the back door to qualify and play Leinster who were on top of their game at home.
“But we learned a lot from that fixture and got better as the season went on, as the Premiership proved. We’re looking now to refocus. We have to hit the ground running and these next two games are huge in the context of our season.
“It’s always a very exciting time to have the whole family back in together, but we still have the benefit of the five months prior to the Six Nations. The team came on leaps and bounds and we had the learnings from that. We’ll now pick up the pieces as quick as we can. It’s all very much about getting people thinking and making sure we’re pushing in the same direction.
“We’re in a fantastic mood. Everyone is excited to be back together in what we call the final stretch of the season. We have a good bit to go but there is a potential of 10 games. We have spent the first seven months giving the opportunity to capitalise on these last 10 weeks and we’re now in a very fortunate position. We’re very excited with what is to come.
“There has always been an appetite to get better as a squad, recognising that you’re never the finished article and are constantly evolving. We keep coming in energised, positive and enjoy what we do. It makes for a very healthy atmosphere. The squad has grown considerably, both from the highs and lows of the last couple of years, and we’re able to react to situations that maybe others can’t.”
Barritt was a youngster when he made his own Saracens breakthrough, arriving as a raw Emerging Springbok in 2008. He has seen first-hand the organisation transforming from a constant state of flux to an entity where everyone knows where they stand with the now long-serving McCall.
“It has been an unbelievable ride to have been here from the beginning and it has been gratifying to see where the club is today,” said Barritt, the 32-year-old who quipped he has “at least 10 years” left yet in a playing career where is still unsure where to settle when it finishes.
Our next @premrugby match will be at @LondonStadium on Saturday 23rd March! ?
Watch @bradbarritt lead Saracens out against Quins – it's not one to miss! ???
Get your tickets ?? https://t.co/VR9FBInwQU pic.twitter.com/DQOVBoAJKP
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) March 11, 2019
“This world is becoming smaller and smaller. England is very much my home and it’s a home to my soon-to-be four-year-old son. We’ll have to assess it when that day comes.”
That hopefully won’t be for a while yet. “You’re constantly inspired by the people around you. That’s what we aim to do at Saracens. You have an inert respect for the player here before you and you look to grow as an individual while you are here.
“Mark sets the level from the top down in terms of his hard work, in terms of his analysis, in terms of his leadership and what he brings to the job. He inspires everyone through his actions and he’s as hands on as any director of rugby is. In terms of the things we ask for as a squad, the leaders at the top have to amplify that and he most definitely does that.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I wonder what impact Samson has had on their attack, as the team seems less prone to trundle it up the middle, take the tackle and then trundle it up again. I lost faith in the coach last year as the Rebelss looked like a 2nd/3rd rate South African team. I also disliked Gordon standing back, often ignored as the forward battle went on and on. Maybe its our Aussie way of not getting off our A***’s until the enemy is at the gate.
83 Go to commentsThanks for the write up. Great to see the Rebs winning, I am a little interested in how they will go against the remaining kiwi teams, I think they’ve only played Hurricanes and Highlanders but how great to see these players performing!! I also see Parling has a job beyond June 30! A good move by RA? Also how do you fix the Rebels previously scratchy defence?
83 Go to commentsbe smart - go black
13 Go to commentsNext week the Crusaders hopefully have Scott Barrett back. Will be great to have the captain back. Hopefully he will be the All Black captain as well.
12 Go to commentsExciting place to be for the young fella. I expected he was French Polynesian when I saw him included in the France 6N squad (after seeing him in NZs), and therefor be strong grounds we might loose him to rugby down here. Good, in that he is good enough to warrant such a profile, and from a journalism’s fan interaction aspect, to finally get a back ground story on the fella. Hope he has settled into NZ OK and that at least one rugby country will fit with him to help his development, which, if so, he should surely continue for a few years, and then that he can experience France to it’s fullest with a bit more maturity and less reliance on family than you would have at his current age. A good 3 or 4 years before he would be ready for International duty if he wanted to wait. Of course he already sounds good enough to accept a call up, and to cap himself, in the more immediate future (he’d have to be very very good in the case of the ABs), and he’ll get a great taste of that being with the Canes who have a bunch who are just a few years further into their career and looking likely Internationals themselves.
13 Go to commentsI remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
3 Go to commentsOh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
3 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
3 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
13 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to comments