Beauden Barrett has followed fellow Southern Hemisphere superstar Eben Etzebeth by giving his thoughts on the upcoming Six Nations Championship.
The All Blacks playmaker will watch on from New Zealand as the sport’s most historic competition returns for yet another edition.
Ireland and France are most people’s favourites for the title, while England and Scotland could well come into contention if they have a good start.
Front runners
Barrett duly sees three front runners for the Six Nations title after facing them in the end-of-year campaign last November.
“During that series, I thought we got Ireland at the right time. They were coming off a break, it was prime time to hit them early in their season. They’ll be different come Six Nations,” he told reporters.
“I still think England, Ireland and France, it’s between one of those teams, it’s theirs to win.
The playmaker then joked: “France go really deep and I’d probably have them as favourites at this stage, but we’re not allowed to say that.”
Barrett also addressed the other three teams, praising both Italy and Scotland, but he foresees another tough tournament for a beleaguered Wales.
“I know the competition up there is really strong. Italy are respected and Scotland are always one to watch out for,” he added. “Wales have got their backs against the wall, but for me, it’s probably France at this stage.”
The All Blacks star’s opinion differs slightly from Eben Etzebeth, who earlier in the month hailed the strength of Scotland.
Like Barrett, his view was formed after taking part in the Autumn Nations Series campaign.
And despite the Springboks emerging 32-15 triumphant over Scotland in November, Etzebeth was impressed by what he saw from Gregor Townsend’s men.
Eben Etzebeth’s view
“I think Scotland are definitely on the up with the way they play,” he told The Times’ The Ruck podcast.
“The funny thing is that after the game everyone was surprised by the way they stuck in the game and how physical they were but we weren’t, we know they are a quality side.
“Sometimes you get more perception from the fans and the public, and the team that plays against them doesn’t think about them that way but they are a really good side. In the Six Nations last year they got some good results and I’m pretty sure they will do well again.”
READ MORE: Eben Etzebeth discusses Six Nations odds as he is ‘pretty sure’ one team ‘will do well again’
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/beauden-barrett-identifies-his-favourites-for-the-six-nations-and-believes-all-blacks-got-ireland-at-the-right-time-last-year
