Jordie Barrett has stepped into his own spotlight in the All Blacks midfield, declaring that while his new role at inside centre might draw comparisons to rugby legend Ma’a Nonu, he's not just another shadow in the jersey. Despite the team's recent stumble against Argentina, Barrett's career is on the rise, now boasting 26 Test starts in the position, eclipsing his previous 25 as a fullback. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is set to leverage Barrett's prowess in the upcoming face-offs with the Boks in Auckland and Wellington.
Barrett, the younger of the rugby-famous Barrett siblings, is feeling at home in the midfield. "I feel comfortable enough in both positions, but that obviously doesn’t guarantee performance at an international level – rugby’s so tough at the highest level these days," he admits. He emphasizes his goal to master his current role, aiming to secure his place in the prestigious starting lineup of the All Blacks. "At the moment that’s 12, and my challenge is to hold on to that for as long as I can."
"For years there’s been calls that I need to play like Ma’a Nonu, but I can’t physically play like Ma’a Nonu. I certainly don’t want to be put into a box and told this is a way that a 12 is meant to play."
Rejecting the one-size-fits-all approach, Barrett is determined to adapt to the evolving demands of modern rugby. "I think the game has evolved over the last few years. I’m trying to develop a skillset and I feel like I’m getting there. If I need to kick to someone I can, if I need to pass to someone I can, if I want to get my hands through an offload I can, if I want to beat someone I can, that’s where I want to get to as a midfielder and I feel like that’s important in today’s game," he elaborated.
As the All Blacks gear up to challenge the Boks, all eyes will be on Barrett to see if he can continue to define his unique style of play within the legendary black jersey. The pressure is immense, but Barrett's determination to be more than just another player in the lineup is clear.
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Jordie Barrett has stepped into his own spotlight in the All Blacks midfield, declaring that while his new role at inside centre might draw comparisons to rugby legend Ma’a Nonu, he's not just another shadow in the jersey. Despite the team's recent stumble against Argentina, Barrett's career is on the rise, now boasting 26 Test starts in the position, eclipsing his previous 25 as a fullback. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is set to leverage Barrett's prowess in the upcoming face-offs with the Boks in Auckland and Wellington.
Barrett, the younger of the rugby-famous Barrett siblings, is feeling at home in the midfield. "I feel comfortable enough in both positions, but that obviously doesn’t guarantee performance at an international level – rugby’s so tough at the highest level these days," he admits. He emphasizes his goal to master his current role, aiming to secure his place in the prestigious starting lineup of the All Blacks. "At the moment that’s 12, and my challenge is to hold on to that for as long as I can."
"For years there’s been calls that I need to play like Ma’a Nonu, but I can’t physically play like Ma’a Nonu. I certainly don’t want to be put into a box and told this is a way that a 12 is meant to play."
Rejecting the one-size-fits-all approach, Barrett is determined to adapt to the evolving demands of modern rugby. "I think the game has evolved over the last few years. I’m trying to develop a skillset and I feel like I’m getting there. If I need to kick to someone I can, if I need to pass to someone I can, if I want to get my hands through an offload I can, if I want to beat someone I can, that’s where I want to get to as a midfielder and I feel like that’s important in today’s game," he elaborated.
As the All Blacks gear up to challenge the Boks, all eyes will be on Barrett to see if he can continue to define his unique style of play within the legendary black jersey. The pressure is immense, but Barrett's determination to be more than just another player in the lineup is clear.