Beauden returns home
Beauden Barrett was back in Taranaki where his dazzling career began on Saturday, chatting with fans and signing autographs.
The All Blacks playmaker was at his home ground, Coastal Rugby and Sports Club, in Rahotu, to take part in the final of the Red Bull Force Back competition.
Barrett said being back and playing at his old stomping ground was ‘‘as good as it gets’’.
‘‘It’s cool to come back and see the next generation of kids everywhere and that’s what it’s all about: having fun and inspiring the next generation.
‘‘I’ve loved it, just hanging out with the local people. It’s always refreshing to come home and see people I haven’t seen for a while, and to connect with a place where it all began for me is pretty cool.’’
The event drew a big crowd and Barrett could often be spotted chatting with kids and signing t-shirts, hats, and rugby balls for them.
The aim of force back is to kick the ball across the opponent’s goal line to score points.
Saturday’s event followed regional finals in Otago, Canterbury, Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland.
Barrett headed a star-studded team which took on the winner of the five regional sides.
The Barrett side won their exhibition match; however the Canterbury men’s team were the overall champions and Wellington took out the women’s competition.
Barrett said it was amazing that people had come from all over New Zealand.
The Wellington women’s team, Don’t Force It, made it through to the final and got to play against the All Black.
‘‘It’s really cool, it’s been an awesome event and we’ve loved every part of it and just to be here has been enough for us so anything extra is just cool,’’ team member Thamsyn Newton said.