Why Sexton is ahead of Barrett in the battle for World Rugby Player of the Year
The world’s top two-ranked teams will face off in Dublin this weekend and with it, two of the five candidates for World Rugby Player of the Year will duel, in Beauden Barrett and Jonathan Sexton.
The quality of Springboks Malcolm Marx and Faf de Klerk is undoubted, as is finisher Rieko Ioane, however, the race for the players’ top gong should be a two-horse race at this stage between Sexton and Barrett.
Ireland’s Sexton should be ahead on points over the reigning back-to-back winner and is in the box seat to claim the award. 2018 has been Ireland’s year, and Sexton has been pivotal for the national team and at domestic level with Leinster.
Barrett’s year hasn’t been quite the same as the last two, however, his performance in the win at Twickenham will add to the case for a third straight title.
The 33-year-old Sexton started the international year in Paris against France, saving the test with a clutch 40-metre drop goal after 39 phases deep into extra time.
At the time, it wasn’t to be known just how important that kick would be, as Ireland proceeded to run the table and win their first Grand Slam since 2009, only their third ever. The 15-13 win in Paris, saved by Sexton, will go down as an all-time great moment in rugby history.
Sexton’s control guided Ireland to key wins over Wales and Scotland in rounds three and four, where he was particularly impressive against Scotland as they sealed the Six Nations after England lost to France later that evening.
The next week at Twickenham against England, Sexton contributed to one try and kicked two conversions in the 24-15 win, sealing a historic Grand Slam and securing Ireland as number two in the world rankings.
The June away tour of Australia also proved to be a slice of history. Ireland completed their first series win down under in 39 years, coming back from a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1. The loss, Ireland’s only one of the year so far, came without Sexton in the starting lineup.
A late Sexton penalty goal in the third test gave Ireland enough breathing room to close out the win and the series by 20-16.
What Sexton brings to Ireland with leadership and experience cannot be ignored in deciding this award. Sexton’s attacking stats do not match Barrett’s, but it would be folly to ignore the intangible influence he has on Ireland’s results. His direction and control are defining factors in each Irish victory.
With Sexton starting Ireland are 8-0 this year, and without they are 0-1. The All Blacks cannot say the same with Barrett – they are 6-1 with him playing the majority of the match and still 4-0 without.
Barrett’s opening test against France in June was a good first-up performance, scoring 17 points in a 52-17 demolition job. However, his game was overshadowed by a superb bench cameo from Damian McKenzie, who had one try, one try assist, five line breaks and 117 run metres from five carries in an explosive twenty minutes.
The game only opened up in the last quarter, brought about by a host of substitutions, in which the All Blacks were noticeably better afterward.
The second test in Wellington, unfortunately, ended prematurely for Barrett when an aerial collision with Benjamin Fall forced him from the field with a concussion.
He failed to return, opening the door for McKenzie to play the majority of the game and then start his first game at 10 for the All Blacks the following week. With McKenzie at 10 in the third test, the All Blacks put in their most complete performance of the series, winning 49-14 in Barrett’s absence.
A French series in which Barrett played less than half of isn’t a compelling start for the defence his Player of the Year title, but Barrett opened the Rugby Championship with two stellar games against the Wallabies.
In the opening Bledisloe, a slow start had the All Blacks behind at halftime 6-5 but an opportunistic try by Barrett proved to be the catalyst for a landslide 38-13 win in Sydney.
A record four-try performance by Barrett at Eden Park the following week secured the Bledisloe Cup for another year, as his world-class running game tore the Wallabies apart. He finished the game with a personal tally of 30 points.
The two tests against the Springboks may prove to be the black marks on Barrett’s 2018 resume.
Barrett’s solid performance with ball-in-hand in the first match was marred by an off night with the tee and game management in the final minute, leading to the Springboks upset win. He was quiet in the return match in Pretoria, a game dominated by the Springboks.
It was reserve first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga who came up with the pivotal plays to steal the win, first hammering a quickly taken touch-finder to set up the winning maul and then kicking the final conversion after the buzzer.
A rather forgettable win against Argentina in Buenos Aires followed for the All Blacks before another class performance against the Wallabies in final Bledisloe at Yokohama.
How much weight is given to three incredible performances over the hapless Wallabies? Barrett’s biggest games of the year came against the Australians while falling short against South Africa, while Sexton orchestrated a clean sweep of Europe and monumental series win in Australia. The strength of schedule would indicate Ireland’s feats were tougher to achieve.
This season’s Autumn Internationals is the perfect closer to determine the World Rugby’s Player of the Year.
Barrett’s performance at Twickenham was arguably his greatest win as an All Black 10. A significant performance in Dublin, one greater than his performance in the 2016 visit, may just tip the balance in his favour, while Sexton can remove all doubt and claim the award by guiding Ireland to another famous victory.
Sexton deserves to be in front, but there will be no better way for Barrett to prove he deserves a third Player of the Year award than beating Ireland and Sexton at home in Dublin.
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Comments on RugbyPass
What 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.
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.
9 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?
9 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
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 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 commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to comments