Jordie Barrett: The ‘growth’ future All Blacks miss after South Africa left Super Rugby

All Blacks star Jordie Barrett admits playing against South African teams in the Super Rugby of old was essential preparation for Test rugby for any young New Zealand player.

Barrett, who is still only 27 years of age, notched up 100 caps for the Hurricanes at the weekend. Unfortunately for the superstar he marked the milestone with a red card for a dangerous tackle.

Proud Hurricane

Reflecting on his journey in Wellington, Barrett admits he would have loved for the side to have made it deeper in the Super Rugby play-offs but underlined his pride for the jersey.

“We’ve had our frustrations throughout my career where we haven’t got past quarter or semi-finals. But, I’ve got a positive outlook and we’ve got a great group this year,” he said.

“I’m proud to be a Hurricane and, hopefully, we can put ourselves in a position this year where we can give ourselves an opportunity.”

South African influence

Looking back on his career, Barrett burst onto the scene as a very young player back when Super Rugby still included South African teams and the All Black believes playing against those sides was the best preparation for Test rugby.

“To be able to go to South Africa and play against the South African sides on a two or three-week tour, they were the best times of your life almost, and we miss going to South Africa, for sure,” he explained.

“You play them at Johannesburg or any of those formidable South African stadiums, and you’ve got a challenge of big physical forward packs. In some ways, you can learn lessons as a young kid before you make it to Test level that you can apply when you land a spot.

“You do miss a lot of growth and learning at that age and I’m grateful I got a taste of that before we lost them.”

Centre stage

The youngest of the Barretts was primarily a full-back in the initial stages of his career but has now made the move to inside centre – a switch he was always waiting for.

“It was always in the back of my mind, but I never really had the tools to play Super Rugby or anything at that level early on as a mid-fielder, so it has been a natural progression,” he said.

“I’ve found my feet now and enjoy settling in at 12 [second five-eighths]. I am happy with where things are at the moment, but ask any footy player, and there are always things to work on.

“There are always skills that require a little more work and the idiosyncrasies of playing 12. There are so many parts of the game where you can add more strings to your bow, so that’s been refreshing for me.”

READ MORE: Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Week: Chiefs aplenty after big win in Round Two