OPINION: In the 30th minute of the Hurricanes-Highlanders game Beauden Barrett got himself in the exact position the Rebels will want him on Friday night - running laterally, his whole body turned to face the sideline.
It's an old issue with the playmaker. If he's not taking on the defence square he's not as much of a threat as he could be.
And so it proved. Under pressure from Lima Sopoaga he hurled a pass to no-one and was forced to kick on the next phase. Then when he collected Tevita Li's clearance he tried to make a break but was bundled into touch in possession.
Beauden Barrett has mixed moments of individual brilliance with some ordinary play in 2018.
It isn't quite happening for Barrett this year as it didn't in 2017.
It is more than just a casual observation - take a look at the statistics.
There is a plethora of stats providers but they all paint a similar picture, especially when you go a bit deeper.
According to Fox Sports, Barrett has carried the ball 22 times for a total of 198 metres.
Damian McKenzie is starting to put others into gaps as well as torment defenders with his pace.
By way of comparison, Chiefs No 10 Damian McKenzie has 31 carries and 312m.
That's similar, but where it gets interesting is in line breaks, line-break assists and tackle busts.
Barrett has one line break, two line-break assists and seven tackle busts.
McKenzie has four line breaks, eight line-break assists and 19 tackle busts.
McKenzie has played slightly more minutes, and two 60-70 minutes stints at No 15, but even with that in mitigation I would even challenge Wellingtonians to argue that Barrett has been the more influential.
Instead, it is McKenzie who is currently New Zealand's best version of Barrett - that pacey, dangerous No 10 who can spark things from backfield but, crucially, can also set others up from the playmaker position.
Richie Mo'unga is still the pick of classic No 10s in New Zealand. He can 'fix' defenders with his hands and eyes and then beat them with his feet like no other in the country. It was mesmerising to see him toy with South African sevens specialist Seabelo Senatla against the Stormers in Christchurch, creating the room for Codie Taylor to score the try.
But McKenzie's conversion to No 10 has been good. In fact, if he were a golfer he would be nicely under par on the front nine.
His progress has been easy to chart but Barrett remains more enigmatic.
I still love watching him. In 2016 he managed something remarkable: he was simultaneously the world's best No 10 and No 15. But I fear today he is neither.
Magnificently, probably without due credit, he has turned his goalkicking around. And perhaps I am out of step with the times and just need to love a No 10 who can pick a ball off his feet and run 50m to score.
But a part of me says that is not part of the core game I want Barrett to excel in.
I would like to see a string of games that say, 'yes 2016 might not be repeated but I have progressed my game in other ways'.
That is not yet apparent: reservations still linger over his passing and ability to operate when space gets tighter.
Barrett will get an examination against the Rebels on Friday night. They will try to rush Barrett just as they overwhelmed the Brumbies with line speed in round four, and just as the Highlanders will try to pressure McKenzie in Hamilton in the earlier Friday game.
It is an evening set up for Barrett to show that he is the dominant No 10 in New Zealand, the undisputed champ. Roll on Friday, then.
To enter, simply join the Rugby Stuff Facebook group, or head to the page if you're already a member. In the comments field of the giveaway post pick the score for the Hurricanes v Rebels match this Friday night.
The closest score prediction will win the prize. Entry cut-off is 9.40pm on Friday.
- Stuff
