The ‘invaluable’ area Jordie Barrett is helping his new side as Leinster boss ‘gives clue away’ after latest triumph
Jordie Barrett during URC victory over Connacht and Leinster boss Leo Cullen.
Leinster boss Leo Cullen insists that Jordie Barrett’s influence is even extending beyond the performances he is putting on the pitch.
The All Blacks star made his second successive start as the Dublin outfit edged past their fellow Irish province 20-12 at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Unlike the previous two games, where he was surrounded by Ireland stars, Cullen selected a weakened team for their encounter with Pete Wilkins’ men.
Barrett and fellow superstar RG Snyman were therefore the most experienced players on the field and it was a responsibility which both players took on with aplomb.
‘Confidence’ to youngsters
“It’s even watching (Barrett with Luke McGrath) beforehand, you’re in the gym with Jordie, and it’s the preparation part, how he just goes about his business and the conversations that he’ll have,” Cullen said.
“So Charlie Tector started the game. I’ll give a clue away, he wasn’t due to start the game, but he stepped into the team and between him and Jordie they built that relationship without doing any training (together).
“So in that space, he really gives a lot of confidence to the younger players around him.
“Similar with RG (Snyman) in the second row, he has Diarmuid Mangan in the second-row with him, also an academy player just like Charlie Tector is an academy player, just like Gus McCarthy is an academy player beside Jack Boyle who is 22 and Rabah (Slimani) who is a little bit more experienced.”
Barrett has settled into life at Leinster superbly, impressing in their Champions Cup victories over Bristol Bears and Clermont Auvergne before being named player of the match at the weekend.
The 27-year-old has also shown his versatility, featuring at both centre and full-back over the three games, but he is also helping elsewhere as Cullen explained.
Experienced trio
They very much selected a makeshift outfit against Connacht but it was supplemented by the international experience of Barrett, Snyman and Rabah Slimani.
“Again, that’s the important part of those three individuals in amongst the group that we have. Obviously Lukey, Jack Conan, Ross (Byrne) give us great experience in terms of that 8/9/10 axis, but then there’s a lot of young guys in there if you look through the team,” Leinster’s head coach said.
“So Aitzol (Arenzana-King) on the one wing, Andrew Osborne on the other does unbelievably well for his try, and even similar with guys coming off the bench. So it’s good. Overall we’re pleased to get a win but it’s how could it be perfect with some of the combinations we have?
“But yeah, Jordie gives confidence to the person beside him, which is invaluable really.”
