It turns out there might not be a dream duel between New Zealand’s Barrett brothers in the first week of Super Rugby Aotearoa after all.
Before Dan Carter’s move to the Blues stole the headlines, the big excitement ahead Super Rugby’s return this weekend was brothers Beauden, who will play his first match for the Blues, and the Hurricanes’ Jordie, tackling each other.
A shoulder injury to Jordie het nou die hele planne in die wiele gery. The Canes, though, still have hope and will give him until Friday to prove his fitness ahead of
Sunday’s clash.
Beauden is not so sure and doesn’t expect his baby bro to play in the match, but says it will still be a personal match against his ex-teammates.
MENTAL BATTLE: Beauden Barrett is ready to face ex-teammates
All Blacks teammates TJ
Perenara and Dane Coles are the manne he expects the most moeilikheid from.
Beauden says: “It’s so exciting. It’s a game I’ve played a few times in my head already during Covid-19 and at the moment I’m just trusting my preparation.”
He adds: “It’s more those inter-personal battles that potentially could pop up, and I’m just preparing for that, so as it happens I know, ‘yep, I can tick that off in my head, it’s no surprise because I know it’s coming’.”
Asked exactly where those battles will come from, Beauden says in reference to hooker Coles and No.9 Perenara: “Those names you mentioned. "Jordie probably won’t be playing.”