What Beauden Barrett's new deal means for Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie
Re-signing Beauden Barrett will be well worth it for New Zealand Rugby and the All Blacks as they look to fill the void left by Richie Mo’unga.
Once thought to be finished with his international career, Barrett’s new deal until the end of 2027 will see him aim for his fourth Rugby World Cup where he will be 36 years old.
The big question will be whether he is still seen as a fullback or as a No 10 by incoming head coach Scott Robertson.
Despite the physical demands of playing at the back, it stands to reason that Barrett will still be able to play at a high level as a No 15 for at least two more seasons.
Former All Black fullback Ben Smith produced one of his greatest seasons in black at age 33 before being left out of the first-choice side at 34 in 2019.
Granted, he was being used as a right winger then. In his final game against Wales in the bronze final, Smith showed what he could still do with a two try performance.
Barrett is 32 and could still be the All Blacks first-choice fullback until the end of 2025.
There will be many calling for Will Jordan to take over with the 25-year-old entering his prime as an athlete.
Whilst Jordan is one of the best attacking players on the planet, where he cannot yet match Barrett is in the kicking department.
Many were extremely critical of the volume of kicking Barrett undertook in big games at the Rugby World Cup without recognising the context.
His kicking was a necessity in most cases to relieve pressure from the backfield, returning serve from a position where most of his teammates were offside.
Barrett’s management of messy situations in the backfield is world class, whether with cover tackles or kick coverage. Few can offer better.
Jordan has a higher kick error rate on the low volume he is required to make as a winger. It’s accuracy in this part of the game that needs to improve.
While Barrett is available, he should still be starting over Jordan for this reason. Until Barrett’s performances decline significantly, it’s not the time to hand over the 15 jersey.
The Crusaders’ flyer is still a guaranteed starter on the right wing and there are many ways to utilise Jordan’s attacking skillset and dangerous running game there.
With Mo’unga departing, there might be temptation to move Barrett back into the No 10 jersey to offer experience to the role.
However, with Barrett comfortably established at the back since his shift there in 2019 it’s time to give Damian McKenzie the role.
McKenzie is a better ball player than Barrett and at 28-years-old has plenty of experience himself since his Test debut in 2016.
During Barrett’s prime years at No 10 they formed a 10-15 combination that was meant to be the foundation of the attack for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Injury to McKenzie foiled that plan and opened the door for Mo’unga, but now they have a chance to rebuild that partnership with the roles reversed.
In Mendoza this year against Argentina we saw McKenzie fire at first five-eighth with three try assists and Barrett had an equally productive day at fullback with a try and try assist himself.
Dan Carter was 33 when he produced his all-time great run to help the All Blacks to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and while Barrett will have a few extra miles on the body, there is no reason why he can’t help do the same in 2027.
Carter battled through longer-term injuries throughout his New Zealand career that Barrett has not, which will prove telling over this final chapter.
The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year is past his prime when it comes to his blistering speed, but that doesn’t mean his value has diminished.
This deal is a big boost for the All Blacks ahead of the next chapter under Scott Robertson.
Comments on RugbyPass
A Springbok 2-0 win: haha told you we were champions now shut up An Irish 2-0 win: the referee was under orders from world rugby to cheat us but luckily we don’t care because this is part of Rassie’s grand world Cup plan.
103 Go to commentsI hope they didn’t pay Jones fee?
2 Go to commentsTo be fair, the teams he's had to put out are reminiscent of those available to Gatland during his horrible run at the Chiefs in late 2020. Anyway, he's only got a two year contract and Wellingtonian Tamati Ellison will be ready by then, as will a lot of talented youngsters (like the Chiefs Gatland blooded). The Crusaders are planning for the long term.
5 Go to commentsGreat to see more community spending leading to higher participation in the community. It's a long road but that's a good first step.
2 Go to commentsPoetic justice for trying to sell him to Australia as another kiwi saviour coach, not ! Deans was just as bad actually but McCaw and Carter covered up for him. That’s why they didn’t want him as All Black coach, even after Graeme Henry’s bumbling effort in 2007.
5 Go to commentsSACK HIM !
5 Go to commentsSafas are so triggered by Ireland. 3 consecutive losses, incl RWC. 8 losses out of last 12 Tests. Always excuses, of course, with Bok fans. Now Rassie with his “88%” nonsense, the Claytons Excuse is an embarrassment to Bok teams of the past when every test mattered. Their fickle mojo will be on edge for the Ireland tour. Have the referees been appointed yet ? They will need security. Have WR laid out strict guidelines for TMO’s and replays on the stadium screens ? Will the constant stoppages from Bok forwards for cramps and bootlaces be tolerated ? We’re not talking a dominant Springbok team here, they won the LOTTO Cup and they know it whether they admit it or not. The Disney doco has their fans positively fermenting internally, its going to be a nasty hangover if they get beaten on home soil. What will the excuses be then……
103 Go to commentsGreat role model.
2 Go to commentsOne significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
103 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
103 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
103 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
103 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
2 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
103 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
103 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
103 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to comments