Barrett eyes Blues debut against former team
SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: All Black flyhalf Beauden Barrett has the perfect match in mind to make his debut for the Blues this season.
Back from a long holiday, Barrett started training with his new team this week after being a stalwart for the Hurricanes between 2011 and 2019.
And after watching his new team beat the ‘Canes in Round Six, the All Black star has his sights set on the return match in Auckland in Round 11 in April.
“That would be the dream, wouldn’t it,” Barrett told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.
“It wouldn’t be a bad way to start. But I’ve got to get myself back to where I need to be to earn a spot in this team.”
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Ok then internet, here’s Beauden.#BluesAllDay #WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/PTg1PuhbIz
— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) March 10, 2020
Barrett might see that match as a dream return to Super Rugby, but his coach believes there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.
“Nothing’s confirmed,” said Blues coach Leon MacDonald.
“You’ve got to remember the guys out there are eight weeks into the competition … when was your last game [he asked Barrett]? Octoberish? You can’t just jump straight into it without being physically ready.
“We want to set Beaudy up to succeed, so when he plays, he’s ready to go, and not just chuck him in there and hope he’s going to be OK.
“There are a lot of boxes to tick. We’re aiming at mid-April right now as a wide bullseye, but we’ll hone on that as he starts getting into his work.”
The Blues have been good form over the last few weeks. They won their last three games [all away] against the Bulls, Stormers and Hurricanes.
They are currently sixth in the overall standings and third in the New Zealand Conference.
Source: Stuff.co.nz
