Barrett versus Mo’unga - a ridiculously pacey No 10 showdown
THERE’S JUST something striking about a flyhalf with pace.
Ridiculous pace. The kind of pace that - for the moment while it’s on show - almost outshines every other skill and ability he possesses, whether he’s a master of trickery or a more ‘standard’ type of general.
It’s an amazing sight. And it’s not a very common one either...not when it comes to No 10s if you think big league.
Beauden Barrett is probably at the top of that list. And the automatic first choice All Black flyhalf with the top temperament doesn’t need much of an introduction.
There’s also Damian McKenzie - a wizard who shifts between 15 and 10 and packages the sensational with the erratic. He makes it hard for the size-matters brigade to zoom in on his frame as he knows how to use his guile to carve up defences. While he’s a wizard with the leather oval in hand, the way he paces about with a near-magnetic attraction to a gap resembles some kind of sorcery.
And then there’s Crusaders playmaker Richie Mo’unga. The pacey Richie Mo’unga.
The word playmaker although a much more common occurrence or mention in rugby than flying flyhalves - is extremely applicable here. It fits the description of Mo’unga the way the ball fits into his (one) palm as he swerves, sharply but smoothly, across the pitch - perfectly.
And, needless to say, his deceptive pace - pace that you wouldn’t really expect looking at a flyhalf of his mould - is potent. It’s ridiculous.
Mo’unga - based on his position alone - will be one of the most important men in Christchurch when the Crusaders meet the Hurricanes in the opening Super Rugby semifinal tomorrow. And the Hurricanes will need no briefing on the kind of net they need to throw over the red-hot No 10.
He’s shown that he has the composure and the maturity to make sure he aces his game-management checklist. How many times have we seen the 24-year-old show tactical control, accuracy and this knack for keeping his cool after making a mistake - not getting all hurried and flustered, but just fixing it?
And in New Zealand, it will be all about composure tomorrow morning. Composure, tactical intelligence, execution and that Mo’unga kind of attitude to fix an error and just keep going.
But there’s a lot of other things that make Mo’unga a danger.
The way he selflessly creates and operates space for his teammates is superb, but he can easily pull it off just as well if he takes the opportunity himself.
His kick-offs are on a constant upward curve and his cross-kicks are becoming increasingly potent. And those unexpected cross-kicks can hurt any team, especially with the kind of backline the defending champions have, especially behind a Crusaders pack that can make any flyhalf’s job a little easier.
So, yes, tomorrow’s showdown will be a massive one.
And while Barrett still reigns supreme when it comes to the All Blacks’ pivot pecking order, there’s no doubt that his fellow ridiculously pacey New Zealand No 10 will make that showdown even better.