Blues counting down the weeks until Barrett joins the franchise
The sight of a fit and slim Beauden Barrett on the Blues’ training field will likely gladden the hearts of the franchise’s supporters, many of whom may still be marvelling at last weekend’s bonus point victory over the Waratahs which featured a most unBlues-like composure at the end.
But while the All Black and twotime World Rugby player of the year threw a few passes under the blazing sun at the team’s Alexandra Park base and conferred with several teammates, including the injured Rieko Ioane, Barrett’s mid-April start for his new franchise remains in place.
The 28-year-old, on an extended break after the World Cup, has been in and out of the Blues headquarters following his shift from the Hurricanes, and his advice delivered yesterday — albeit in trainers rather than boots — was appreciated as his teammates prepared for their crunch match against the Crusaders at Eden Park tomorrow.
The match on Valentine’s Day will have a rainbow diversity theme but there is likely to be little love lost between the rivals on the field.
“He’s in today to have a look around and see how we’re going and we can check on him and see how he’s going,” said assistant coach Tom Coventry. “It’s good to have him back around.
“He’s in great nick. He’s a true professional who knows how to keep himself in shape when he’s away from the game. He’s going to be short of a few games of footy but we’ve got a plan around how we get him ready to play. It won’t be too long before he’s back with us.”
Blues’ hooker James Parsons, who entered the 32-12 victory over the Waratahs in Newcastle via the reserves bench, knows a thing or two about return-to-play protocols; a back injury suffered while playing for North Harbour in the Mitre 10 Cup has made him a late starter for the Blues.
“Talking about the return to play for Beaudy — I can assure you it’s not easy,” Parsons said. “The old master
here [Coventry] puts you through a few tricks.”
Parsons added of what for the media is a rare Barrett sighting at his new club: “One hundred Super games and nearly 100 tests — there’s plenty to be excited about. It’s great having him around for the young boys.”
The presence of Barrett, likely to return following a couple of club matches plus a development game, comes as coaches such as the Chiefs’ Warren Gatland and Highlanders’ Tony Brown call for changes to New Zealand Rugby’s policy of protecting their All Blacks at what they and others see as the expense of their Super Rugby teams.
Like Gatland, Coventry would like to see a more nuanced, individual approach.
“I know it’s come under some criticism lately,” Coventry said. “We’d love to have our All Blacks playing from day one but they do have a long season . . . I suppose in future we’d like to have a little more of an individual approach to managing our men and I’m sure that’s where we’re heading.”
Richie Mo’unga is back for the Crusaders at first five-eighths after missing the 25-15 defeat to the Chiefs in Hamilton due to groin and knee issues, but, as coach Scott Robertson said: “He’s good. Like I said last week, he was pretty keen to play but we decided the best thing was to give him an extra week. He’s good to go.”