Barrett signing buoys New Zealand’s hopes of winning third World Cup in succession
Fly-half, 25, has been in top form recently and has settled debates on replacing hero Carter
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen’s chances of winning a third World Cup in a row have been boosted by fly-half 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 Wellington Hurricanes to a maiden Super Rugby title and settling any arguments about who would succeed Dan Carter in the All Blacks’ number 10 jersey.
“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.”
Stand-off 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 reported earlier this year that he was a target for the 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 has seized the starting fly-half role this season as the All Blacks looked to replace Carter, a three-times World Player of the Year who is now playing club rugby in France.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Rugby have scoffed at complaints from a top English administrator that the packed itinerary for next year’s British and Irish Lions tour will be too tough on players and have a knock-on effect when they return home to their clubs.
The Lions play 10 matches on the highly anticipated tour, which includes three tests against the All Blacks, a game against the Maori All Blacks, and matches against each of New Zealand’s five Super Rugby franchises.
They open the tour against a combined provincial selection, likely to be made up of semiprofessional and amateur players, on June 3.
While the itinerary has been known for several months, the “punishing schedule” drew criticism at the weekend from Mark McCafferty, the head of Premiership Rugby, which runs England’s professional club competition.
NZR Chief Executive Steve Tew, however, said while McCafferty was entitled to make his comments they would have no bearing on the tour.