Goal-kicking blues
“It’s always going to be a talking point with any team — a lot of spotlight goes on the goal-kickers,” Barrett said last week. “I feel I’m in a groove. I’m just trusting my routine and preparation. You enjoy it when they go over a bit more but the key is not to get caught up in it too much.”
Stats compiled by Radio Sport’s Nigel Yalden offer some perspective. In Barrett’s past 10 tests — dating back to the loss to Ireland in Chicago — he has kicked at 80 per cent (45/56). That is around where Dan Carter finished his illustrious test career, and well above Barrett’s international average of 71 per cent (126/176).
New Zealand rugby historian Geoff Miller also notes Barrett sits third in the all-time test try-scoring stakes for first-fives (16 from 24 starts at No 10) behind Stephen Larkham (20 from 84) and Carter (24 from 94). Miller also said Barrett averages three conversions per-test — more than anyone in world rugby and more than Carter and Grant Fox (2.6 per test).
So while debate continues around when Barrett will next set the world alight, the All Blacks remain content.
“He missed three kicks five metres in from the sideline and he’s not the only kicker to ever do that,” Foster said of the New Plymouth effort. “Overall we’re really happy with his technique so he’s got no reason to get down it was just one of those nights.
“It’s not the easiest position but I think he’s doing a great job and so did Lima [Sopoaga] in the weekend.
“He probably had the most influential time in the black jersey in terms of the way he guided the team around. It’s not just one person there’s a couple of people working hard in that position and hopefully we get better and better.”