SHIELD SHOWDOWN
Mo’unga v Barrett, round two: Country’s two top first five-eighths square off again in Ranfurly Shield rumble
Mo’unga v Barrett part II: The Ranfurly battle
Kiwi fans spent all the Super Rugby Aotearoa season waiting to see Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga go head to head. It was a match-up that never eventuated but now it will happen twice in a month. After the two top first five-eighths in the country duelled in the North v South match two weeks ago, they will meet against this afternoon with more than just Island bragging rights on the line.
Canterbury will host Taranaki in the second round of the Mitre 10 Cup today, in their first Ranfurly Shield defence of the regular season.
The last time the two sides met with the Log o’ Wood on the line was in 2017 and produced a classic. Canterbury went up 31-7 inside the opening 27 minutes before Taranaki staged one of the greatest comebacks in Shield history to win 55-43 — with the Bulls scoring 48 points in the final 47 minutes.
In recent years, the provincial stage has been bereft of All Blacks due to international commitments. This time around, there will be plenty of firepower in both teams, with All Blacks and Super Rugby regulars on both sides of the park.
“I know Ranfurly Shield games aren’t like any other game,” Mo’unga said. “They’re tough, they’re test-like, they’re like finals footy. It’s the team that turns up on the day and puts the most amount of pressure on will win the game. But we’re enjoying being in this environment again and mixing it up with the younger guys, getting them up to speed and just enjoying every day.”
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has been open about the race for the All Blacks’ No 10 jersey being between Barrett and Mo’unga, and with Bledisloe Cup fixtures now confirmed for mid-October, this will be the last chance to see the pair in competition.
For Barrett, who last week played his first game for Taranaki since 2012, today’s match could be his last for the next few weeks. He and wife Hannah are expecting their first child soon, and Barrett told Gold AM he was preparing to be on paternity leave after the Ranfurly Shield clash.
Barrett has experienced a successful challenge before, as part of the winning Taranaki side against Southland in 2011. In that game, Taranaki won 15-12, with all points coming from penalty goals.
“Every time you get the opportunity to play for it, it’s a great week and a big occasion,” Barrett said. “I’m really happy to be back in the amber and black, and to have a Shield challenge second game up, we can’t wait.
“They’ve got a few All Blacks in that team. You look at that team on paper and see a lot of Crusaders as well. They’re a pretty strong side and we’ve got to be on our A game to compete on the weekend. We’re working our butts off to turn up and hopefully bring it back to the Naki.”
● Tasman have continued their perfect start to the Mitre 10 Cup, with another bonus-point victory last night. The Mako smashed Northland
54-21 in Nelson, following their 41-24 opening win over Counties Manukau, with a barrage after halftime sealing the comfortable win.
Leading 19-7 after 45 minutes, Tasman bagged three tries in seven minutes, with Fetuli Paea, Will Jordan and Sevu Reece all crossing to rapidly extend the hosts’ advantage to 40-7.
Northland scored twice but they were merely consolation tries as they couldn’t back up their solid first-up victory over Manawatu, while Reece bagged a hat-trick in what is likely to be his last game for his new province as he prepares to link up with the All Blacks for the Bledisloe Cup tests.
“[Competition] points are really important at this time of the season, so getting another bonus point is pleasing,” said Tasman co-coach Andrew Goodman, who was impressed with Reece’s contribution.
“He was electric, popping up everywhere, which is what Sevu does best. If you give him the licence to look for the ball and find the space, he's pretty outstanding.”
● You can follow every Mitre 10 Cup match live on nzherald.co.nz, with commentaries on Gold AM.
Ranfurly Shield games aren’t like any other game. They’re tough, they’re test-like, they’re like finals footy. But we’re enjoying being in this environment again. Richie Mo’unga
They’re a pretty strong side and we’ve got to be on our A game to compete. We’re working our butts off to turn up and hopefully bring it back to the Naki. Beauden Barrett