Beauden Barrett excited to face ‘all class’ Johnny Sexton

Planet Rugby

Beauden Barrett - PA

Two centurions come up against each other at fly-half in Dublin on Saturday, with a fresh-looking Johnny Sexton facing off with newly-minted All Black centurion Beauden Barrett.

Sexton on Tuesday reminded the Irish public not to expect the same champagne Ireland opened against Japan and Barrett echoed his sentiments, explaining that New Zealand were expecting a physical and tactically-nuanced game.

The Irish have pulled two wins against New Zealand out of the last four match-ups, both times outplaying their opponents, but New Zealand delivered when it mattered in the quarter-finals at the last Rugby World Cup.

Keeping it alive

Since then, Barrett has noticed how much more Ireland have been using ball-in-play time and has warned his side to prepare for a non-stop onslaught.

“It’s certainly going to be tight, physical, with a lot of tactics being played,” he said.

“It’s test footy – you can’t get too cute with it. You’ve got to win the battle up front and earn the right to do all those things. It will be the same thing we’ve seen in recent years, I’m picking.”

And as much as the team challenge will be the key, Barrett is looking forward to his own match-up against his opposite number.

“I admire his play, his longevity and how influential he is for his team,” said Barrett of Sexton.

“He has great skillsets, and one of the strengths of his game is his ability to get second touches and always be a threat post pass and follow up and get another touch like that.

“There’s a lot to admire about the way he plays, in terms of his mentality. He’s a competitor, loves to get amongst the physicality, and is a huge part of their team and how they play.”