There was a time in 2022 when Beauden Barrett wondered if he would ever play rugby again. Let’s just say he’s learned to stop and smell the roses.
Now to be lining up for a Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal with a Blues side riding a record 13-game win streak, playing once again like the wizard who won back-to-back world player of the year awards in 2016-17, thriving on being a key cog in a smooth-running machine, well it’s a privilege not lost on arguably the most influential No 10 in the game.
Barrett has left behind the nagging headaches which threw such a cloud over him at the start of the year, and has refound the form that marked his stunning assumption of the Dan Carter mantle after the 2015 World Cup. It has been an important factor in Leon MacDonald’s Blues, who are the hottest of favourites to brush past the Highlanders in Saturday night’s Eden Park quarterfinal, emerging as the force they’ve long threatened to become.
“I just want to enjoy my footy,” the All Blacks centurion tells Stuff ahead of the Highlanders showdown. “I’m not putting too much pressure on myself to over-achieve. We’ve got plenty of talent in this team, so I want to contribute where I can and just enjoy training and playing with these boys. We have the opportunity to do something special, and I’m extremely driven to do that with this group.”
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It’s Barrett’s confidence in his team-mates and comfort in the team that has emerged under the firm hands of MacDonald and Tom Coventry that is allowing him to play what many believe is his best rugby since that ‘16-17 purple patch. Well, that and a life built with wife Hannah and 20-month-old Billie Rose that just fits him like a glove.
“It’s feeling free in how I’m playing, and not getting bogged down on detail and systems,” he adds. “The stability at home allows me to come to training and be free, put in the hard work, and then go home … being settled in Auckland with family around … the life balance is great.”
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Beauden Barrett: ‘I have a realisation it can be taken away pretty quick, and I’m grateful for every opportunity I get.’
It’s all a long way from where he was at the start of the year when symptoms from a head knock suffered against Ireland last November were still bothering him.
“That’s another part of it,” he adds with a smile. “Just appreciating every minute I get. It’s the closest I’ve been to potentially hanging up the boots. I do have a realisation it can be taken away pretty quick, and I’m just grateful for every opportunity I get with this team.”
Barrett tabs leadership and discipline as two key areas where the Blues have made significant strides over the last few years. The former has created a culture of accountability and excellence and the latter has been a major factor in turning narrow defeats into knife-edge victories.
But Barrett wil also remind his team-mates ahead of Saturday’s kickoff that nothing can be taken for granted at sudden-death time. The 4-10 Highlanders may have slunk into the post-season like lame dogs, but they will come out with the belief that 80 minutes can salvage their season.
It’s a message echoed by coach MacDonald after unveiling a lineup missing only hamstrung wing Caleb Clarke from the best he can possibly put out. It’s a well-rested group, too, with most spared last weekend’s trip to Sydney to zero in on this contest.
“The only people that are writing the HIghlanders off are the media,” said the Blues coach. “We’ve played them twice and they’ve been two hard games that they’ve been right in to the final plays. We’re under no illusions. They’ve got nothing to lose and they’re dangerous when they’re in that space.”
MacDonald admits to some tension and nerves created by the stakes, But also adds: “You’ve got to be confident in the work we’ve done to date, and you’ve got to trust what we’ve done to put ourselves in this position. It’s served us well all year – and we can’t forget that.”
For the record, Barrett also offers some family insight into his younger brother Jordie’s tilt at the 12 jersey at the Canes that is garnering such attention this year.
“He wants to be a 12. He knows he’s taking a punt but it’s a position where he thinks he’s going to be in the long-term. I support his decision. It’s a ballsy one. I know how difficult it is in the backfield to defend midfielders who can kick … he’s certainly got the frame to be a Jean de Villiers-type midfielder.”
Blues: Stephen Perofeta, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Mark Telea, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii (capt), Akira Ioane, Tom Robinson, James Tucker, Ofa Tuungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Soane Vikena, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan.
Highlanders: Connor Garden-Bachop, Fetuli Paea, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Scott Gregory, Mosese Dawai, Marty Banks, Aaron Smith (capt); Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Billy Harmon, High Renton, Josh Dickson, Bryn Evans, Jermaine Ainsley, Andrew Makalio, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Mau, Max Hicks, Shannon Frizell, Folau Fakatava, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Denny Solomona.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus).
