Beauden Barrett was recently described as an “afterthought”, the World Rugby player of the year in 2016 and 2017 having now now been surpassed by Richie Mo’unga at No. 10 and arguably his brother Jordie at No. 15.
But that’s just not true. Barrett is a generational talent who transcends positions. He made his name at No. 10 and should be returned to the position.
Barrett changed the game as a No. 10. He inherited the jersey from arguably the greatest conventional flyhalf in the history of the game, Daniel Carter. But Barrett has been and continues to be a completely different player. He offers a far greater running threat in broken play than any other international flyhalf.
Beauden Barrett (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)
It’s hard to argue that Jonny Sexton, Handre Pollard, George Ford, Owen Farrell, Finn Russell or Dan Biggar offer incision through the line as Barrett does. Richie Mo’unga gets close for the Crusaders on occasion but has yet to consistently show it for the All Blacks.
Barrett is not perfect. His goal kicking can be inconsistent, which becomes a bigger problem when games are tight and a reliable kicker is needed. But beyond this it’s hard to pinpoint a weakness in his game as a Test-quality flyhalf.
The threat his running game poses grants him a split second extra to deliver raking passes to his outside backs. He consistently delivers excellent cross-field kicks to capitalise on narrow defensive formations. And he scores a lot of tries – look at how he destroyed Australia at Eden Park in 2018 with a four-try masterclass, perhaps his finest performance in a black jersey.
Mo’unga is the elephant in the room. He has clearly been the form No. 10 in Super Rugby for the Crusaders over the last three years. He’s taken the breath away with some of his Super Rugby performances. He’s capable of genius, like his pinpoint cross-field kick for Will Jordan’s winning try in the 2020 North versus South game. In any other era he would be the first-choice flyhalf for the All Blacks for the next four years.
However, it’s been two years with Mo’unga at No. 10 and, if we’re honest, he has underwhelmed in all but a couple of games against the Wallabies. He remains a world-class flyhalf, better than all but perhaps Pollard. But Barrett is the world’s best player with an X factor no other back in the world has.
Contrary to popular opinion, he is New Zealand’s best option at No. 15 if they want to play a dual playmaker system. His vision and ability to scythe through the smallest gap was evident even in the All Blacks 47-26 defeat in Perth last year when his try very much kept the Kiwis in the game.
But the last two years have been deeply disappointing from an All Blacks perspective. Losing both the Rugby Championship and World Cup in 2019 and suffering an unprecedented loss to Argentina in 2020 have diminished the aura of this team. Put simply, anyone now believes, and with some justification, that speed off the line, discipline and ferocity at the breakdown can defeat New Zealand.
Many things need to change if New Zealand are to recover their fear factor. But the easiest one is to restore Beauden Barrett to the No. 10 jersey permanently, giving him the keys to the kingdom and building everything they do around him. Otherwise, they risk an underwhelming 2023 World Cup, not to mention wasting the most effective attacking weapon they’ve had in the last decade.
Diesel
Guest
Mounga got picked for the first Bledisloe and J Barrett took the shots at goal. Your argument is shot.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Barrett misses some kicks. Barrett gets shifted to 15. Ben smith who is a better fullback than barrett gets shift to the wing. Mounga gets selected at 10. What more do you need to see.
Andy
Guest
This guy has no understanding rugby or the nuances of flyhalf. Beauden Barrett in his prime was no a better flyhalf than Richie is now. And beauden Barrett is long past his prime while Mounga still hasn’t hit his. Beauden Barrett is an impact player and should be used off the bench. As will Jordan is the better fullback. Also Jordie Barrett should be nowhere near the team . His stats are the worst of the entire team
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
What is your evidence to assert that the only reason the coaches select Mo’unga over BB at 10 is solely because of his goal kicking? . It sounds like pure speculation to me… :laughing:
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Not so. They pick the goal kicker first and the #10 second otherwise mou ga would never have been selected for the basket case result in Japan.
And yet he was......twice!!!
Oblonsky’s Other Pun
Guest
And yet it’s what the All Blacks coaching staff seem to think also :laughing:
Harry Jones
Expert
BBBBB is still a great rugby player. He just became BB. Because he lost a step. It happens. To everyone. I’d play him at 23. He can still change a match like few.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
You are allowed to think that. Most crusaders supporters say things like this. That does not make it true.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
I foresaw that comment coming.
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
I disagree that is the only aspect Mo'umga is better at in the 10 position. I think Mo'unga also has better game management, a better chip kick to the wings, and commits more defenders before passing, and those aspects combined make Mo'unga a better 10 than BB.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Including a rubbish game at the RWC.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Goal kicking alone. The rest bb is clearly superior.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
I disagree.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I knew you were going to say that :silly:
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Goal kicking is the only aspect of moungas game that is superior to bb. And not by much.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Because it is much easier to write with hindsight than to predict.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Very well put and better than I could have summed it up.
Adzy
Roar Rookie
When is BB gona be able to kick goals and unlock a rush defence? BB would still be first choice 10 if he was that good. His previous struggles is what lead to ABs trying Mounga in the first place, did you forget that? BB greatest asset is creating his own breaks at 10 so with rush defence he has nothing as he just shovels the ball on with no passing game. Mounga has been in the team 2 years of which 1 year he was the prominent playmaker without BB jumping in to take over to dominate playmaking. BB had 4 years to develop before getting the start at 10. I get it you love BB, I love them both but I dont think he is the best man for the job. I dont get your hate for Mounga, he has show good development and players should endeavour to develop regardless of age. I said develop an overall game eg kicking, passing and running, I believe Mounga can develop all 3, I doubt BB can improve his goal kicking under pressure or his pass selection given the 8 years he has already had to develop these aspects as an AB.
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
Well, Jacko, how has BB improved after debuting in the 10 jersey in 2014? He was still exhibiting the flaws that he displayed that day against Wales in the loss at Suncorp. Missing kickable goals, mis-timing passes, turning sideways and telegraphing who he's going to pass to. SBW was a very unhappy camper at 12 that day. It wasn't until Colin Slade came on for Piutau and BB went on to Piutau's wing that the All Blacks romped away from 15-16 down at the 65min mark- helped by 2 tries to guess who, BB on the wing. The author is wrong about how BB made his rep. It was as a super sub, not a 10. I'm glad the national selectors finally ended the experiment, BB was given every chance to become a better 10 and it didn't happen. Maybe Mounga won't go on to be an all time great Test 10 but he's the official no.1 choice right now and BB is a fullback.