Barrett, Franks key for ABS
The Crusaders survived a number of seven-man scrums with Matt Todd in the bin and Ryan Crotty pushing behind Franks, but when Todd returned Franks really went to work.
With halftime seconds away and the Rebels feeding the scrum, Franks and his mates up front pushed the Rebels back a good 10 metres and earned a penalty that Richie Mo’unga slotted to give them a 13-10 lead going into the break.
The pressure Franks was putting on opposition hooker Anaru Rangi was so severe that his head popped up out of the scrum. It was, in a rugby context, a thing of beauty.
Franks is a tank. We’ve known that for years but the way he has returned from a serious injury will only add to his reputation as being a meticulous and proud trainer.
The All Blacks’ scrum was hardly a weakness last year. In fact, the emergence of Nepo Laulala was one of the year’s highlights but the All Blacks must be thrilled at having Franks and Laulala both fit this year.
Barrett’s goalkicking has gone under the radar but it’s impossible to underestimate its significance. He is kicking at about 75 per cent. Last year he took a success rate of about 65 per cent into the Lions series and, frankly, it cost the All Blacks.
He kicked nine from 14 in the final two tests against the Lions (64 per cent) and had he been anywhere as near as accurate as Owen Farrell the All Blacks would have won the series 3-0.
Call me a traditionalist but the idea someone can be the world’s best No 10 without world-class goalkicking stats doesn’t make sense. Sooner or later you’ll come up against an opponent, or weather conditions, that mean you have to go back to your goalkicking – or drop goals – to get you over the line.
Barrett has clearly improved a lot in this area. In fairness, that started last year, post the Lions series, but he has continued the trend and that makes it look like a fundamental improvement has been made.
He still trails Damian Mckenzie and Lima Sopoaga in terms of kicking percentages but if he get his percentage up to the high 70s it will take the All Blacks to a different level.
If the All Blacks can add scoreboard pressure to their armoury, they’ll be exceptionally hard to beat this year. Once you start ‘chasing’ this side they’ll cut you to pieces.
Set-piece and goalkicking rarely grab the headlines during Super Rugby but their relevance won’t be missed by the All Blacks’ top dogs.
Franks’ imposing return and Barrett’s rising accuracy will leave them feeling reasonably confident that 2018 can be a year when they can push forward again.