Barrett happy to embrace the spotlight
Four years on from his memorable World Cup-sealing try, there is a rather different feel going into the global showpiece this time round for All Blacks game-breaker Beauden Barrett.
Injected off the bench with quarter of an hour to go in that 2015 final against the Wallabies at Twickenham, Barrett’s electric pace off a Ben Smith kick cemented back-to-back crowns for New Zealand.
It was also the start of a rapid rise to the top for a man who at that point was primarily an impact weapon (eight starts in 36 tests) with all care and not much responsibility.
Now, 42 tests on (and the last 40 of them starts) it’s a different beast for the 28-year-old going into his second World Cup, with so much having happened both on and off the park for him.
This year Barrett has got married, resigned with New Zealand Rugby but switched Super Rugby clubs in preparation to live in a new city, and been shifted from first five-eighth to fullback with the emergence of Richie Mo’unga.
‘‘Yeah, a lot has changed,’’ he noted. ‘‘I’m getting older, I’m probably a little bit more demanding than I was back then. That comes with responsibility and time in the saddle too.’’
As the All Blacks set off on their quest for a third straight title, Barrett is ready to lap up the pressures that come with his experience, X-factor and global profile.
‘‘It’s probably best to accept that, and take it as a compliment, and walk towards it,’’ he said.
‘‘I think if you hide away from it, it can hinder you. I think you just have to embrace it, and see it as a privilege, and get excited about that challenge.’’
It’s going to be an eight-week slog, all going to plan, and that’s where Barrett is also now sage in terms of preparation, knowing how important it is to be able to switch off at times.
‘‘I, personally, plan my week,’’ he said. ‘‘I make sure that each day I have timeslots where I do what’s best for me, in terms of chilling out and mentally refreshing, or going out and embracing the culture that Japan will offer, or wherever we travel in the world. Making sure you get that balance is crucial.’’