Barrett ‘fills a hole at fullback’: MacDonald
Even Leon MacDonald is in two minds as to Beauden Barrett’s best position on the footy park. But for tomorrow at least it will start at fullback when the Blues’ marquee offseason signing runs out for a muchawaited debut against the Hurricanes that could have the house-full signs up at Eden Park.
MacDonald had a bit to think about before unveiling his 23 to face the Hurricanes – the side Barrett had played the entirety of his 125-game Super Rugby career for. Not the least of it was just where to launch his new All Blacks star from.
Barrett, of course, is equally at home at fullback or first five-eighths and played almost all of the 2019 World Cup season as a No 15 for the All Blacks, moving forward to the frontline late in contests when required.
MacDonald admitted he still saw Barrett as a ‘‘10 that can play fullback’’, though in this case had opted for a reversal of that duality, partly because Stephen Perofeta’s stress fracture in his foot had denied him his incumbent No 15, and partly because Otere Black had played so well at first five during the initial Super Rugby season that was abandoned mid-March when Covid struck.
The Blues coach also hinted strongly that, with Matt Duffie on the bench, we could expect Barrett to make a late-game shift into first five where he could potentially wreak havoc as defensive lines begin to fatigue.
‘‘We’re mindful that Beaudy is an outstanding first-five. That’s not lost on us,’’ said MacDonald after a rigorous training session yesterday. ‘‘But he’s also a world-class fullback as well and we need that hole filled.
‘‘It will be his first game for the Blues, in front of a big crowd, against his old team and I don’t think it will hurt for him to be back in the boot a little bit with his vision and experience to be a calming influence from the back. Then, in time, we’ll probably see him move forward as well.
‘‘At some point he will be in the frontline . . . but right now this is the best fit for our team, the situation, where he’s at in terms of his integration back into rugby and the fact it’s his first game for the Blues.’’
MacDonald emphasised that Black’s form through the initial season (where the Blues won their last four on the bounce to finish 5-2) had allowed him the luxury of easing Barrett into the fray from the back.
‘‘He’s played very well for us and his form was outstanding pre-lockdown. He has come out of lockdown in even better nick and trained very well.
‘‘So we’re very fortunate to have two pretty decent 10s in our squad.’’
MacDonald has handed a start to national sevens squad member Caleb Clarke after some impressive work since rejoining the squad postlockdown.
Clarke and the in-form Mark Telea will start on the wings, with All Black Rieko Ioane and TJ Faiane retaining the midfield partnership and Sam Nock sees off the challenge of a fitagain Finlay Christie at No 9.