Calls for 'new' All Black flyhalf intensifies
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A fourth consecutive defeat for the Hurricanes against the Crusadershas once again raised question marks over who should wear the All Blacks 10 jersey after Beauden Barrett’s less-than-impressive showing on Friday.
New Zealand fans from the South Island have long been calling for Mo’unga to take over, with Steve Hansen having to publicly pour water over the debate claiming that Crusaders have a ‘Rolls Royce’ pack in defence of his incumbent.
The Crusaders romped to a 32-8 win in ‘Beauden’s house’, leading to many fans asking for Barrett’s benching with the All Blacks.
Beauden Barrett has had a really bad game today. And that’s not just the intercepts he’s been throwing all over. He’s done pretty much nothing to get the team going. #HURvCRU
— Moses Rudende (@rudende) March 29, 2019
With Beauden Barrett’s performance tonight he needs to be benched… if not just kicked out of the team. Richie Mo’unga is a shoe in for the World Cup and tbh I’m glad. The Barrett name is just a brand at this point and not a skill level #HURvCRU
— Mikala Dougherty🇳🇿 (@Mikki_Kala) March 29, 2019
On this first half performance alone Richie Mo’unga should be a shoe in for All Blacks 10 & Beauden Barrett would be lucky to get the bench position. #HURvCRU #SuperRugby
— Arshad Daud (@Arshad_Daud) March 29, 2019
#HURvCRU That awkward moment when Mo’unga just outplayed the 2x world player of the yr 😏😭
— Joseph (@joenotaverage) March 29, 2019
After two cheap tries on the back of mistakes in the Hurricanes back three, the Crusaders built a healthy lead which the Hurricanes had to chase. In similar circumstances to the game in Christchurch last year, Barrett’s errors compounded as they tried to find a way back into the game.
The RugbyPass Index has seen Richie Mo’unga overtake Barrett on the back of early season Super Rugby form, the second time in the last 12-months he has done so.
