All Blacks back Jordie Barrett is looking to ditch his ‘jack of all trades’ tag and specialise, which spells bad news for two of Leinster’s star men.
The 27-year-old had a quick effect on his debut for Leinster, assisting and scoring a try in the first 15 minutes after coming off the bench in the Investec Champions Cup encounter against Bristol Bears.
Much of the discussion before to Barrett’s arrival was on how he would fit into the Leinster backline, with the All Blacks star capable of playing fly-half, full-back, wing, and both centre positions with remarkable ease.
He replaced starting number 15 Ciaran Frawley against Bristol, causing a backline movement in which Garry Ringrose moved to the wing, Jordan Larmour to full-back, Robbie Henshaw to outside centre, and Barrett to number 12.
Jordie Barrett’s position preference
The New Zealander now appears to be elevated to the starting XV for his second cap against Clermont in round two of the Champions Cup, with Frawley, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, and Jamie Osborne all set to miss the match.
The benefit of adaptability grows, and despite bouncing throughout the All Blacks and Hurricanes backlines over the years, he is eager to focus his efforts on becoming a specialist.
“In some ways I was a bit of a jack of all trades and master of none for a number of years there, but I feel like it’s probably stood me in great stead for where I am at the moment,” he shared with reporters this week.
“I feel like I’ve been around forever, but I’m 27 and I believe my best rugby is still ahead of me, which is why I’m trying to come up here at this stage in my career.
“But playing even in Test matches, left wing, right wing – 10 times, plenty of 15s and 12s – gives you a solid perspective and awareness of what the guy inside you demands or needs out on the pitch, as does other people in similar situations.
“So, I suppose when you’re trying to establish yourself in one position, whether it’s 12 or full back. It offers you a good grasp of what your wingers, 10s, and 9s need. So I feel like I’m in a situation now where I really understand the game, and hopefully that will serve me well for the remainder of my career.”
While Barrett mentioned fullback, he has only been in that position for New Zealand and the Hurricanes in recent seasons, mostly playing in the centres.
Leinster’s depth
However, Leinster’s centres are well-stocked, with Ireland internationals Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, and Jamie Osborne available to Leo Cullen, with Frawley capable of filling the inside centre post. Don’t forget about Jimmy and Tommy O’Brien.
Frawley, Osborne, and Jimmy O’Brien are all capable fullbacks, with Larmour and Keenan providing further possibilities.
While Barrett’s appointment at Leinster was received with enthusiasm by supporters, it has sparked animosity among fellow Irish provincial supporters, particularly since Munster lost both Antoine Frisch and RG Snyman.
The IRFU’s restriction on non-Irish eligible players has also created controversy in recent seasons, with Ulster losing Ruan Pienaar when Jamison Gibson-Park joined for Leinster. This fuelled to curiosity over where Barrett might play, as Munster already had New Zealand centre Alex Nankivell on their roster.
Cullen hits back
Barrett and Snyman played in last year’s Rugby World Cup final and came off the bench for Leinster against Bristol, with many comparing the current squad to Real Madrid’s ‘galacticos’.
While Cullen and his staff aren’t hiding the fact that they spent heavily this season, he did take offense when asked if he’d ever chosen a stronger bench than the one that defeated Bristol, with Ireland captain Caelan Doris joining Snyman and Barrett as replacements.
“I don’t know how you quantify it, it’s impossible,” he replied.”
“I couldn’t say, and you can’t really answer that question.”
“What we’ve done is that the majority of the guys are homegrown, having come through the academy system. A lot of work and effort has gone into making sure we get the most out of the lads.
He elaborated: “We’re able to bring in a few players from overseas but we’re so constrained in what we actually can bring in so we spend a hell of a lot of time trying to develop what we have in our own back yard.”
Cullen’s concerns are certainly true, but there is no denying that few teams, perhaps only Toulouse, can collect the kind of talent that Leinster can before acquiring a player of Barrett’s caliber.
The fact that the New Zealander wants to play in a position where Leinster already has numerous Ireland internationals will leave a bad taste in opposition fans’ mouths.
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