Barrett hailed as ‘complete package’
Some British rugby internationals have anointed Beauden Barrett as the best player at the World Cup and the man to guide the All Blacks to another title.
Three Daily Telegraph expert analysts unanimously tipped the All Blacks playmaker as the most influential player at the Japan tournament.
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions midfielder Jamie Roberts claimed Barrett’s ability was ‘‘unrivalled’’ and he ‘‘does not have a weakness’’.
‘‘People have assumed that Barrett is being selected at fullback for New Zealand to get Richie Mo’unga in the team as a goalkicker. Personally, I believe it is so that Barrett can be first receiver after any kicks.
‘‘You need momentum off box kicks, or high kicks,’’ Roberts wrote. ‘‘And if you could have any player in the world then ready to receive the ball after winning those aerial contests, it would be Barrett. The way he changes direction and beats defenders, playing what is in front of him – that ability is unrivalled at the moment’’.
Danny Care, omitted from England’s World Cup squad after 84 caps, said Barrett was ‘‘the complete package’’.
While England’s Owen Farrell was a better goalkicker, Barrett ‘‘does everything – he passes the ball brilliantly, kicks the ball brilliantly, reads the game so well, but is also the most attacking flyhalf in the world.’’
Care said Barrett had one thing over other world class No 10s – ‘‘lightning pace. That makes him a nightmare to play against.’’
‘‘Barrett is not just good on the pitch. I met him in Dubai at the start of this year and he is a really nice bloke. He has kind of got it all, which is quite annoying.’’
World Rugby Hall of Famer and former England flanker Maggie Alphonsi said Barrett was ‘‘a key reason why I am still backing the All Blacks to win the World Cup’’.
‘‘If they are in trouble and find themselves chasing the scoreboard then they have someone who will take that responsibility and make something happen. It is impossible to overstate how important that is.’’
Alphonsi was impressed at Barrett’s readiness to back himself.
‘‘It certainly helps he’s blessed with pace to burn and a skillset to die for but as much as anything it’s about having the guts to try something new and doing it with the conviction necessary to pull it off.’’