Beauden Barrett has given his view on the eligibility debate after spending the 2024 domestic campaign playing for Toyota Verblitz in Japan.
The 33-year-old missed the Blues’ historic season as the Auckland outfit claimed their first proper Super Rugby title since 2003.
Barrett took a short-term sabbatical in Asia last year before returning for the All Blacks’ Test season which started in July.
Remaining in All Blacks contention
It was his second short stint in Japan after he featured for Tokyo Sungoliath in 2021, but the fly-half, who can also play at full-back, has remained loyal to New Zealand Rugby, thus keeping his Test prospects alive.
There have been calls to amend the overseas policy, including from head coach Scott Robertson, who wants the governing body to keep an “open mind” on the matter.
After their 2024 end-of-year series, Robertson was worried that they could be left “a couple of years behind” their rivals and revealed that he would be “presenting” his ideas to the board.
Although Barrett was reluctant to be drawn too much on the matter, believing that starting a debate could “open a huge can of worms”, he very much backed NZR over their current stance.
“I think we just have to back what New Zealand Rugby are going with. Otherwise, it sets a bad precedent for the next generation,” the All Blacks legend told reporters.
“It’s different for South Africa, they’ve got the reasons why. But for the time being, I think New Zealand Rugby have shown a little bit of backbone around [eligibility].”
One player that could benefit from a change in the governing body’s law is Richie Mo’unga, who was Barrett’s fly-half rival from the previous Rugby World Cup cycle.
Mo’unga ended up earning the number 10 shirt for the 2023 global tournament and his departure left a hole in the All Blacks’ team, which Damian McKenzie and Barrett attempted to fill in 2024.
Those two will once again battle for the shirt in 2025 with the 30-year-old set to remain in Japan after reports that he, his club and NZR were unable to agree on an early release.
Robertson and those at New Zealand Rugby wanted to bring Mo’unga back, but the negotiations appear to have broken down and he will remain in Asia until midway through 2026 at the very least.
Barrett seemed to be unaware over what had happened with the former Crusaders star, however, with his sights firmly set on the upcoming Super Rugby campaign.
“Is he? OK. Well it’s Super Rugby time and we’re pretty keen to get into that … all I can focus on is playing well for the Blues,” he said.
“I’m sure Richie will be back in a couple of years which will be great for New Zealand rugby.”
Defending the Blues’ crown
Barrett has not pulled on a Blues jersey since 2023, but he will be a key part of their squad for the 2025 season as they look to defend the Super Rugby Pacific title they won last year.
Although the playmaker was disappointed to miss out on their historic achievement, he was proud of his team-mates for finally bringing the trophy back to Auckland.
“We’d been trying to win it for years. To see the boys achieve that at Eden Park, that’s what it’s all about,” he said.
The 2024 campaign was Vern Cotter’s first year in charge with the head coach implementing a rather conservative and confrontational game plan.
It was almost Springboks-esque in its approach as they focused on set-piece, dominating the gain line and a strong kicking game.
Barrett admits that they will have to evolve this season, however, as teams will no doubt become wise to their style.
“It’s been a fairly blunt strategy that’s worked, but there’s no doubt that we’ll look to adapt a little bit. We can’t assume that will work again. We’ll have to improvise and don’t be complacent.” he added.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/beauden-barrett-worried-about-bad-precedent-if-scott-robertson-gets-his-way-as-all-blacks-legend-hails-new-zealand-rugbys-backbone-over-eligibility-debate
