PICKING A No10 TO PLAY FOR MY LIFE, I’D GO FOR FARRELL
Owen Farrell or Beauden Barrett? who would you pick to play at no 10 if your life depended on it?
Putting aside the fact that some of you would insist on adding Ireland’s Johnny Sexton to the equation, I would pick Farrell.
I would go for the englishman but really it’s like choosing between ronaldo and Messi or Kevin De Bruyne and luka Modric. They are all equally brilliant in their own way so it depends on exactly what you are looking for.
Barrett (below) is a phenomenal strike runner and try scorer with 31 Test tries and hits the gainline flatter and with more pace than anyone in world rugby.
He is also a devastating creator of tries for others when his team are on the front foot which is most of the time. His speed enables him to make excellent cover tackles but he is not so confrontational or effective tackling the big units front on in heavy traffic.
Yet as a goal-kicker he can be decidedly hot and cold. He can kick beautifully when all the stars align but I wouldn’t necessarily want him kicking a touchline conversion to win the world Cup.
Farrell is the best big-match goalkicker in the world — wilkinsonesque in his consistency. I never expect him to miss even the most difficult kicks which is a huge plus at this elite level. now that elliot Daly is a regular starter, Farrell no longer takes the long kicks on the outer limit of his range and I can only see his percentages getting even better.
He is also Jonny like in his tackling and incredible physicality. In an eightminute period at the end of the South africa game last week he not only landed the winning kick from wide out, he stripped a Boks forward of the ball for a massive turnover three minutes from time and then produced probably a trysaving tackle on andre esterhuizen with a massive hit, which was just about on the right side of the law. Farrell’s creativity and strike running has steadily improved, but he can still get better, just as Barrett needs to move his goal-kicking into world class.
In that respect I am amazed new Zealand haven’t hired Dave alred to work not only with him but to run the whole kicking strategy for the all Blacks. If they did that, new Zealand would be nigh on impossible to beat based on their talent.
I have one bit of ‘positive feedback’ to both of these incredible players. In 132 Tests between them they have kicked just two drop-goals, both by Farrell. I’m not sure I can remember Barrett attempting one. Both are brilliant strikers of the ball so, guys, let’s see the full range of your genius. Drop goals are as important in the first minute as the last and new Zealand more than any other team have never grasped their importance in true knockout rugby. Don’t let the art die.