Barrett’s time at 12 is put on hold
Second five-eighth will have to wait for Jordie Barrett.
The prodigiously talented 21-yearold has been named at fullback by the Hurricanes, for tomorrow’s clash with the Reds at Westpac Stadium. Peter Umaga-Jensen will wear the No 12 jersey instead, in what will be his Hurricanes debut.
Barrett sees himself as a secondfive long-term, and regularly trains there, but it’s been another outside back who’s got the nod this week. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Peter’s twin, played second-five very well for Wellington last season, with fullback or wing tending to be Peter’s spot in adult rugby. The pair combined in midfield during their days at Scots College, but this is a fair step up from that. All the same, Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has absolute faith in the 20-year-old. ‘‘Pete’s a strong [ball] carrier. He’s got a very good passing game as well. He’s a good footballer,’’ Boyd said.
Barrett will be the midfield cover, with regular second-five Ngani Laumape enjoying his final All Blacks rest week and utility Vince Aso having been ruled out for the season with a wrist injury. Scans have revealed Aso will require surgery and he faces a three-month rehabilitation.
On the plus side, lock Vaea Fifita has recovered from last week’s head knock and been named on the bench for tomorrow’s game.
As for Barrett, he said he was just happy to be playing after an ankle injury ruled him out of the recent Lions game, before playing off the bench in the 36-15 win over the Blues.
‘‘We all can’t wait to see how Pete goes. He’s a dynamic ball-carrier and very physical, so we’re all rapt for him,’’ Barrett said.
Even if, from a personal point of view, it leaves Barrett to play elsewhere.
‘‘Every week I cover 12 and 13 and fill in [at training] and just learn the role in case.
‘‘You never know in this competition; a lot of guys are going down, so I have been running there during the week,’’ he said.
‘‘I played on the wing in the weekend so, in my case, I’m just happy to help out wherever.’’
And to good effect. Barrett was able to climb and take a Ngani Laumape crosskick late in the match, which produced the bonuspoint try scored by Matt Proctor.
‘‘The reason I called it is because I saw Ngani there and he does train it. I had trust in his call that he could execute it,’’ said Barrett of the crosskick. ‘‘So we do train it. Not just the 10s and 15s, the midfielders and even wingers jump in there because you never know who needs to step up at any time.’’
Speaking of stepping up, halfback TJ Perenara will be captain against the Reds, in what’s his first start since suffering a knee injury on April 6.
Regular skipper Brad Shields has been named on the bench, and hardworking No 8 Gareth Evans given a spell entirely.
Blade Thomson will play No 8 instead, with Reed Prinsep in Shields’ usual spot on the blindside flank.
Nehe Milner-Skudder starts on the right wing, with Julian Savea dropping to the bench.