Jordie B the Canes’ ultimate utility
Jordie Barrett’s performance at first-five for the All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup leaves the Hurricanes with plenty to ponder.
It may only have been against Namibia in a game they were never going to lose, but the fact the All Blacks coaches handed him the reins speaks to what they thought he was capable of.
And with the Hurricanes entering the post-Beauden Barrett era in 2020, there is a sizeable hole to fill at first-five.
Jordie Barrett can just about pick his spot in the Hurricanes’ backline when he arrives back from his extended All Blacks leave in early January, with centre or fullback likely the spots he’ll be gunning for.
But Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee said seeing him turn out in the All Blacks’ 10 jersey gives them options heading into the new season.
‘‘Jordie has shown the ability to play 10 in Japan, but from talking to the coaches, he’s certainly not in our squad as a 10. He’s in our squad as an outside back who can play several positions.’’
‘‘I haven’t had any further conversations with the coaches other than what I just mentioned.
‘‘ He’s certainly got some preferences in terms of positions he likes to play, but Jordie and the coaches will work through that.
‘‘It’s not a bad thing to know he can step in to 10 if we have an injury in the game or you’re looking at the balance of your 23. It’s definitely a positive thing.’’
Playing Barrett at first-five would smack of trying to jam a square peg into a round hole and hoping it somehow fits.
Sure, there are some parts to his game – mostly his kicking – which are ideal for a 10, but the
Avan Lee
Hurricanes chief executive
on-field general’s role is one which is learned over a long period of time, not in the truncated pre-season Barrett will be afforded when he’s back.
Most likely, it’s one of the resigned James Marshall, Jackson Garden-Bachop or Fletcher Smith who starts round one in the 10 jersey against the Stormers in Cape Town on February 2.
Marshall would appear to be the early frontrunner in that race given the 30-year-old’s wealth of experience over his 11 years in professional rugby.
He was signed to be Beauden Barrett’s backup last year, but injured his shoulder in the first game of the season and missed more than two months of action.
Both Smith and GardenBachop have shown promise at times during their careers, and enjoyed good Mitre 10 Cup campaigns, but didn’t exactly stamp their names on the No 10 jersey during their opportunities with the Hurricanes in 2019.
Lee said they talked to other first-fives, but decided to go with what they already had.
‘‘Plenty of names were bandied around and most of them there wasn’t any truth to it. There have been players we’ve talked to, but we quickly realised we were happy with James.
‘‘He’s coming back for one more year and he’s coming back to try and start for us, and so are Jackson and Fletcher. That’s really good for the squad.’’
With that being said, a longterm replacement for Barrett might still be playing for another team.
‘‘We’ve looked further ahead than now and we’ve got some irons in the fire for 2021, so it’s a combination of what we know and looking at the market in 2020,’’ Lee said.
The year 2021 also coincides with when former Wellington College and Wellington Lions first-five Lima Sopoaga comes off contract with Wasps.
‘‘Jordie has shown the ability to play 10 in Japan, but from talking to the coaches, he’s certainly not in our squad as a 10. He’s in our squad as an outside back who can play several positions.’’