‘Hurt’ Barrett extends deal
Scott Barrett’s decision to re-sign with NZ Rugby through to 2023 should ensure the All Blacks are flush with experienced locks for the next World Cup in France.
Losing 19-7 to England in the World Cup semifinal in Japan last year motivated Barrett, 26, to refuse to look at options overseas and instead commit to a longterm deal with NZ Rugby and the Crusaders. He is contracted to Taranaki until the end of 2020.
Following the announcement yesterday, Crusaders captain Barrett confirmed there’s also no clause in the fresh deal that allows him to skip Super Rugby, and follow the trail blazed by test locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, who exercised options to play in Japan this year.
Whitelock and Retallick, the latter will return to New Zealand after May 2021, are both signed with NZ Rugby until 2023 which will potentially provide the All Blacks selectors the opportunity to pick three top locks – form permitting – for the next World Cup.
Although Barrett, who has played 36 tests since his debut against Ireland in Chicago in
2016, started the ill-fated semifinal against England at blindside flanker he has been utilised in the second row for the majority of his career.
The defeat to the English at Yokohama Stadium was not a night for Barrett to cherish at No
6; he was replaced by Sam Cane at halftime after coach Steve Hansen’s plan to add extra height to the back row and disrupt opposition lineout misfired.
‘‘I still feel, you know, that hurt from losing that [the World Cup] last year,’’ Barrett said. ‘‘It is a big driver to stick around and work towards.’’
Although there had been speculation Barrett may be tempted to move to the Hurricanes, where younger brother Jordie plays, he never considered leaving the Crusaders.
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Older brother Beauden, now with the Blues after leaving the Hurricanes and contracted to NZ Rugby until 2023, could potentially be joined by siblings Scott and Jordie at the global tournament in France providing the latter also extends his existing deal beyond 2022.
‘‘So I have given myself a target to aim towards,’’ Scott said in reference to 2023.
‘‘Hopefully, I can put last year’s disappointment into a potential World Cup win.’’
The 1.97m Barrett, who was reunited with his Crusaders team-mates this week after the Covid-19 pandemic forced them to disband in mid-March, was appointed skipper of the Super Rugby title holders for this season because Whitelock was absent. That arrangement will continue to stand, despite test centurion Whitelock returning to the Crusaders due to the Top League being cancelled.
‘‘I would like to put my hand up and take charge of the second row in the All Blacks and that is certainly a big challenge,’’ Barrett said.
‘‘It is something that excites me, to be able to potentially lead a pack at All Black level. And run the lineouts.’’
In the short-term All Blacks coach Ian Foster, who is signed to NZ Rugby until after the 2021 season, will be able to select Barrett and Whitelock as his starting locks.
When the All Blacks will be sighted remains uncertain. The July series against Wales and Scotland has been scrapped because of the pandemic, and tests against Australia – which may be played later this year – could hinge on the trans-Tasman bubble becoming a reality.
The athletic Barrett is likely to play a large role in Foster’s plans; respected for his work ethic and athleticism, Barrett should also benefit from being the skipper of the Crusaders as they now focus on trying to win the 10-week Super Rugby Aotearoa competition.
Barrett doesn’t have a sabbatical clause linked to his new deal but there is an option to return later in a Super Rugby season if he feels the need to refresh.
He will face tough competition to nail down a starting place in the second row beyond the 2021 Super Rugby season when Brodie Retallick is slated to return from his working sabbatical in Japan.
Barrett and Crusaders teammate Sam Whitelock are expected to be the preferred test locks for the All Blacks when the test season finally begins.