Barrett commits to the All Blacks until World Cup
WELLINGTON: All Black coach Steve Hansen’s hopes of winning a third successive World Cup have been boosted by flyhalf Beauden Barrett’s, decision to commit his immediate playing future to New Zealand Rugby until after the 2019 tournament in Japan.
The 25-year-old has been in career-best form this season, helping the Hurricanes to a maiden Super Rugby title and settling any arguments about who would succeed Dan Carter in the All Blacks’ No 10 jersey.
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TODAY Cricket Second Test, South Africa v New Zealand, day 4, 9.30am, SABC3/SS2/ CSN Third ODI, England v Pakistan, 2.30pm, SS5 Swimming Fina World Cup, Berlin, day 1, 5.30pm, SS8/MaXimo Tennis US Open, day 1/day 2, 1am/5pm, SS6
TOMORROW
“It’s great news for the team and great news for Beauden,” Hansen said in a statement. “He’s fast becoming one of ‘the’ players in the world.
“He’s been a world-class player coming off the bench for some time, he’s now graduated into starting Test matches for us, and this year he’s been nothing short of spectacular.”
“He’ll continue to grow – he’s not the finished product yet, by any stretch of the imagination – but as he does, I think we’ll see something pretty special, so it’s Cricket Fourth ODI, Sri Lanka v Australia, 10.45am, SS5 Second Test, South Africa v New Zealand, day 5, 9.30am, SABC3/ SS2/CSN Cycling La Vuelta a Espana, stage 11, Colunga. Museo Jurásico / Peña Cabarga 168.6km, 3pm, SS7/MaXimo Netball SANZEA QUAD Series, New Zealand v South Africa, 9.35am, SS7; Australia v England, 12.10pm, SS7 Soccer International Friendly, Germany v Finland, 8.30pm, SS3/MaXimo Swimming Fina World Cup, Berlin, day 2, 5.30pm, SS8 Tennis US Open, day 2/day 3, 1am/ 5pm, SS6
THURSDAY Athletics IAAF Diamond League, Zurich, 7.45pm, SS5/SS9 Cricket Fourth ODI, England v Pakistan, 2.30pm, SS2 Cycling nice to have him signed up and secure.”
Barrett, who is the eighth player to sign through until the global showpiece in Japan, will also remain with the Hurricanes until 2019.
Local media had reported earlier this year that he was a target for the La Vuelta a Espana, stage 12, Los Corrales de Buelna / Bilbao, 193.2km, 3pm, SS5/MaXimo Golf European Tour, Omega European Masters, day 1, 11.30am/3,30pm, SS1 LPGA Tour, Manulife Classic, day 1, 9pm, SS1 Rugby Mitre 10 Cup, Hawke’s Bay v Counties Manukau, 9.30am, SS1/CSN Soccer 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Bolivia v Peru, 9.50pm, SS7/MaXImo3; Colombia v Venezuela, 10.20pm, SS5; Ecuador v Brazil, 10.45pm, SS3/ MaXimo International Friendly, Netherlands v Greece, 8.30pm, SS3/MaXimo Varsity Football, Wits v NWU Mafikeng, 5.45pm, SS4/SelectSA Tennis US Open, day 3/day 4, 1am/5pm, SS6
FRIDAY Basketball BNL, Eastern Cape Windbreakers v Duzi Royals, 6.20pm, SS8; Egoli Magic v North West Eagles, 8.30pm, SS8 Cycling Auckland Blues, though the Wellington-based side said at the time they were certain he would stay in New Zealand’s capital. Originally considered a ‘super sub’ with his ability to play fullback and blistering pace able to unlock tiring defences, Barrett La Vuelta a Espana, stage 13, Bilbao / Urdax-Dantxarinea, 212.8km, 3pm, SS2 Golf European Tour, Omega European Masters, day 2, 11.30am/3.30pm, SS5 LPGA Tour, Manulife Classic, day 2, 6pm, SS7 PGA Tour, Deutsche Bank Championship, day 1, 8.30pm, SS7/CSN Motosport F1, Italian GP, first practice, 9.50am, SS6/MaXimo; Second practice, 1.50pm, SS6/MaXimo Rugby Aviva Premiership, Gloucester Rugby v Leicester Tigers, 8.40pm, SS5 Currie Cup, Boland Cavaliers v Pumas, 2.45pm, SS1/CSN; Blue Bulls v Golden Lions, 6.45pm, SS1/CSN Mitre 10 Cup, Southland v Auckland, 9.30am, SS1/CSN Soccer 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Argentina v Uruguay, 1.20am, SS3; Paraguay v Chile, 1.50am, SS5/MaXimo Africa Cup Of Nations, qualifier, South Africa v Mauritania, 6.45pm, SABC1/SS4/SelectSA
Subject to change has seized the starting flyhalf role this season as the All Blacks looked to replace Carter, a threetime World Player of the Year who is now playing club rugby in France.
After originally being on the bench for the first two matches of the June series against Wales, Barrett replaced the injured Aaron Cruden for the third game and seized his opportunity, leading the All Blacks to a 46-6 victory.
He continued that form as he guided the Hurricanes to the Super Rugby title and has been superb in the All Blacks’ first two Rugby Championship clashes against Australia.
“I love playing for the All Blacks and representing my country in the black jersey and I’m loving my footy at the moment,” Barrett added.
“The All Blacks are an incredibly special team to be part of and I’m looking forward to playing my role and adding my small part to the legacy over the next few years.” – Reuters