Barrett gets kicks with a realmonster

FOR all their record-breaking achievements in becoming the best sporting team on the globe, New Zealand have one mark that’s modest in comparison.

Dan Carter’s penalty, measured at a shade over 60 metres, for the All Blacks against South Africa, in Pretoria back in 2006 is the benchmark for the longest kick in New Zealand rugby history.

But the sporting superstar has found himself usurped by one of the famous Barrett brothers with a monster effort in Super Rugby on the weekend.

It was Jordie, not more recognisable brother Beauden, who now holds the record after his penalty flew between the Estadio Jose Amalfitani posts in Buenos Aires playing for the Hurricanes against the Jaguares.

Barrett boomed over the goal in the fifth minute of the Super Rugby match, put at 63 metres.

Keen rugby observers have taken a forensic look at both kicks and declared Barrett’s to be the winner – even more so given it didn’t just clear the crossbar – it sailed over the dead ball line.

Match commentators observed Barrett was aided by a breeze.

Carter’s, in a Test against the Springboks in 2006, was assisted by the high altitude at Loftus Versfeld.

That penalty was awarded 62 metres out and replays showed Carter pinched some extra ground to take the kick from just inside his own 10m line. There have been some monster kicks in New Zealand, too.

Springbok Frans Steyn hoofed over a 60 metre penalty against the All Blacks in Hamilton in 2009, and Luke McAlister once goaled from near his own 10m linefor North Harbour against Auckland.

But they still have some way to go to figure among the longest kicks in rugby history. Wales full-back Paul Thorburn holds the record for the longest successful kick in an international rugby when his penalty against Scotland in 1986.

He belted a penalty from the sodden National Stadium turf 70 yards eight-and-a-half inches or 64.2 metres against Scotland.