Kid Barrett

Beauden Barrett...the best there is

Last year I'd never have dreamed I'd be saying this.  The kid was just too much of a turnstyle in defense to merit an All Black jersey.  How things have changed.  He isn't a brick wall but what 1st5 is?  What he does do now is put his body on the line.  And with his startling turn of pace he can pull down defenders from behind like no other player.  Who can forget the corner tackle on Le Roux?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9EYDtG0sZo

This kid is currently sitting at the pinnacle as the world's top rugby player.  Never mind the battle with that Kiwi battler, the gutsy little Aaron Cruden, Barrett has now surpassed Carter as the most influential number 10 in rugby today.  This kid can find the smallest of gaps and drive a cadillac through them.  He's now making his tackles, kicking goals with apparent ease, and setting his outsides on fire in a way that hasn't been seen since Andrew Mehrtens.  He turns something into nothing every game, creating for himself or his dangerous outside backs.  I wouldn't say he alone is the reason for the Hurricanes' revival (a skilled up Julian Savea, a brutal Broadhurst, and finally being able to follow a gameplan have all played their part) but he has come of age this season and is tipping the scales towards his team in any game he plays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLr6f_Y5wTo

The litmus test was the 2013 Rugby Championship.  The Springboks up and bruising, looking for a 4 try bonus point win to steal the trophy out from NZ's noses.  Beauden Barrett on for Cruden, 1 hour into the game and the Springbok captain runs over the top of Barrett to give the South Africans their 4 try bonus point going up 27-24 and really put the heat on the ABs.  2 minutes later and the wonderkid steps up, giving De Villiers the perfect riposte leaving him grasping at air before dancing his way past 4 more defenders to the tryline to hand New Zealand the trophy, in what should have been the IRB's try of the year in perhaps the greatest game of rugby ever.  As it was he took the prize for his try versus the French. People now sit up and take notice.  You're witnessing something very special.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KfwRQ38dxE

ANZUS Rugby?

The more I think about it the more I agree with the whispers about NZ and Australia going their own way. South Africa threaten it often enough and I get their gripe but it probably is best for all right now for the Republic and Australasia to go their own ways. Australia have been very vocal of an Asian push while NZ seem to have their eyes more on an untapped hugely commercial US market. The Boks will find willing opponents up North though the problem will be the 6 Nations. With the English RU pulling the strings and their history of sticking to tradition (and moreover not wanting to have little chance of winning the "7" Nations) that's going to be a hard nut to crack, though they surely aren't stupid enough to not realise constant game time against a southern tier one team is going to raise their game substantially and turn them into real world heavyweights.

It isn't as absurd as it seems. A lot of the travel would be cut and new markets and new comps would be a huge publicity boost for the sport. The problem is always going to be Argentina. The IRU needs to be pumping $ into Brazil. World rugby is crying out for a change, but the bigwigs are wary of annoying the existing fans. This should keep everyone happy.

Perhaps Australia and the US could even combine once a year in a one off attempt at beating the ABs?

The Walleagles

Hurricanes v Highlanders R14 2014

Malakai Fekitoa

How do you pick between the canes and the highlanders? Highlanders have a lot out through injury and judiciary and are playing in the capital but i think i'll back them. 6 wins from 10 games and 3 of them losses by 2 points or less, they could very easily be sitting top of the table.  I think with Leuia out, much as i respect a departing tim bateman, the Canes will miss what has been a feature of NZ teams of late of having one powerhouse in the centres.  We saw the crusaders stutter early season with no Fruean and Lee-lo out of sorts.  While Fekitoa squares up against conrad smith it won't always be one on one and Smith can be caught out by big, straightening centres.  But will be a good match up there and looking to see broadhurst impress. Playoffs crunchtime.