Jenkins ramps up pressure on Barrett

BEAUDEN Barrett might be the best player in the world but his goal kicking could be the All Blacks’ downfall according to Lions assistant coach Neil Jenkins.

Kicking guru Jenkins is confident the Lions will be able to pile the pressure on the mercurial fly-half and has questioned his reliablity in front of goal.

Jenkins said: “I think we’ve got four of the best five goal kickers in the world in Johnny Sexton, Owen Farrell, Dan Biggar and Leigh (Halfpenny) – their record speaks for itself.

“Barrett is a ridiculously good rugby player, incredible, maybe the best player in the world at this moment, but the one weakness he does have is his goal-kicking.

“He hasn’t been under pressure yet because more often than not New Zealand

>Continued from Page 1 won their games. So, if he has missed a couple in the game it probably hasn’t mattered because they have scored four of five tries.

“The reality is that this will be like three World Cup finals on consecutive weekends, and it could well be. I’d like to think that the Lions will be pretty strong, so there will not be a massive amount in these Test matches, and it could well come down to goal-kicking.

“I certainly feel we can put pressure on the All Blacks, and Beauden, in that area by taking our points when they are on offer.”

But just as important as the place-kicking for Jenkins will be the kicking out of hand in general play against a lethal All Blacks back three.

He added: “We need to be accurate against New Zealand. You cannot kick loosely against them.

“They are the most dangerous side on the planet with loose kicks and identifying poor kick-chase, and with Barrett, Ben Smith, Julian Savea and Waisake Naholo at the back they can shred you apart.”