Beauden Barrett’s return to Super Rugby today should serve to ease a concern or two for All Blacks coach Steve Hansen about his World Cup selection plans.
It will also no doubt trigger another round of one of the most popular debates in rugby-mad New Zealand: Who should start at flyhalf at the World Cup in England later this year?
Barrett, who is to return from a knee injury this weekend, was the early favorite ahead of veteran Dan Carter, Colin Slade and the now-injured Aaron Cruden, who is almost certainly out of the World Cup after knee surgery.
Photo: AFP
The 24-year-old Barrett’s blistering pace, booming kicks, willingness to attack and ability to unleash a potent backline helped propel the Wellington Hurricanes to the top of the Super Rugby standings.
Such was his form, an Internet poll run by the New Zealand Herald newspaper earlier this week had Barrett garnering 45 percent of the more than 4,100 votes as the preferred choice to pilot the world champions in their title defense.
Carter was second-favorite on 37 percent, with his injured Canterbury Crusaders team mate Slade, who has leaped into World Cup contention in no small part because of his versatility, a long way back on 10 percent.
It was little surprise that Carter, who is to leave New Zealand rugby for French side Racing Metro at the conclusion of the World Cup, had dropped behind his former understudy.
The 33-year-old has barely played in his preferred position this season and appeared mostly at inside center, where he was unable to provide the penetration needed to make the Crusaders’ attack less staid and predictable.
Carter’s performances caused concerns for pundits, fans and even the All Blacks selection panel, although they felt his form was a symptom of a wider malaise at the Crusaders.
“Dan has had a tough couple of years, struggling with his body ... [and] has been in a struggling team, which hasn’t helped,” All Blacks selector Grant Fox told TV3 last week.
Carter made just his third start in the No. 10 jersey against the Hurricanes last week.
While no one would suggest he was back to the level that saw him twice named World Player of the Year, there were aspects of his performance that showcased the skillset and temperament needed to win Test matches.
Carter kept the Hurricanes pinned inside their own territory with smart kicking and game management, and was willing to run the ball more often than when he was cramped in the midfield.
He kicked six of seven goals against the Hurricanes and has a far superior goal-kicking record to Barrett, which could be crucial during the knockout phases of the World Cup.
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