Versatile Barrett happy to wing it for now

A midfield back, who had to bide his time at fullback, Jordie Barrett might go on to truly make his name on the wing.

At face value, the idea of the 21-year-old playing in the No 14 jersey for New Zealand tomorrow seems a slightly peculiar one.

Not blessed with express pace or spectacular evasive skills, hitting holes and seeing space have appeared to be among Barrett’s greater attacking strengths.

But the more you think about how the role of a back-three player is evolving – and the way some All Blacks are required to cover multiple positions – the more a regular berth on the wing makes sense.

Not least because James Marshall is back at the Hurricanes next year.

Credited with giving the Hurricanes a sense of backline direction during their run to the 2016 Super Rugby title, Marshall’s return might mean this weekend’s All Blacks game in Rome isn’t the last we see of Barrett on the flank.

‘‘I’ve trained at wing plenty of times and I’ve played the second half and back-end of games for the Hurricanes [there] and I think three test matches I’ve played the last 20 for the All Blacks on the wing, so I’ve played on the right wing a bit and really looking forward to it,’’ Barrett said ahead of the clash with Italy tomorrow morning (NZ time).

With his ability to take high balls and educated right boot, Barrett’s not unlike other fullbacks who ended up on the right wing such as Cory Jane and Israel Dagg.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has said Barrett doesn’t feature in their plans at first or second fiveeighth, so being a legitimate wing and fullback option won’t hinder his selection chances.

Barrett had come to the Hurricanes hoping to play in midfield, but adapted so well to fullback in the interim that he was an All Black within a few months. Having made a successful positional shift once, there’s nothing to suggest Barrett can’t do the same thing twice.

‘‘Fullbacks have more of a licence to go roaming and get more touches in the middle of the park so for me it’s just about looking for opportunities out wide and where I can get involved and just nailing little things like my high ball and just getting positive gainline. They’re a couple of things I’ve been focusing on,’’ Barrett said.

Not trying to do too much might also be on Barrett’s agenda. He’s so so eager to impress, and been so starved of game time in recent months, that there will be a natural temptation to go flat out or attempt the miraculous.

‘‘I’ve only played 80 minutes since the back-end of August, so I was going to be excited anyway but, as I said, it’s another challenge and it’s one I’m thoroughly looking forward to.’’

‘‘I’ve trained at wing plenty of times and I’ve played the second half and back-end of games for the Hurricanes [there] . . .’’

Jordie Barrett, left