Jordie Barrett may only be 21 years old, but is already an incredibly versatile player. The six foot five Taranaki man played most of his Super Rugby at full-back, but also made appearances at inside and outside centre, and out-half, and on one occasion, a lineout.
he question is, where does he fit in to Steve Hansen’s plans? He has made all bar one of his appearances in black at 15, save for a four try outing against Italy on the right wing.
New Zealand are not short of options in the back three. The ever dependable Ben Smith is back on great form, Rieko Ioane and Waisake Naholo are flying on the wings and Damian McKenzie always brings great impact off the bench. George Bridge finally got his chance against Japan and took it with both hands. Then there’s the uncapped players, like Ben Lam, or Solomon Alaimalo. David Havili even may yet make a comeback, after struggling for form this year.
Centre, however there may be more of an opening. Jordie has been criticised for his defence at full-back in the past. He doesn’t have the pace that a lot of his competition do, and his decision making has let him down in the past (see the New Zealand loss to South Africa in this year’s Rugby Championship for an example). At 12, he wouldn’t be as exposed like he would be at full-back. Barrett has played a lot of his rugby at inside centre, and regularly stood at first receiver for the Hurricanes.
He is a different style of centre to the hard-hitting style of Ngani Laumape, or Sonny Bill Williams, but he also has the size to pull it off, given he’s taller than his second row brother. A Barrett 10-12 axis, or a Mo’unga-Barrett 10-12 combo is a very appealing proposition, and then with Damian McKenzie, or even Beauden at full-back, you have a squad laden with playmakers. Jordie has played both centre positions for the Hurricanes, but when it comes to international, the 12 jersey is the one he should set his sights on. Out of the midfield backs in the current likely to play on past 2019 (Ngani Laumape, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert Brown) there is only one natural 12(Laumape), with Goodhue and Lienert-Brown only really cover for the position.
While New Zealand U20s did not have a successful campaign in 2016, Jordie Barrett was a high point. Playing at inside centre he scored 52 points (one try) showing his goal kicking talent. The younger Barrett also frequently took over kicking duties for the Hurricanes. Crucially, Jordie is very comfortable about kicking a drop-goal, something that his older brother is still a little bit hesitant about
As he matures as a player, and his rugby brain improves, it would not be unlikely to see him move to the midfield. New Zealand need the depth at 12. Ngani Laumape is flying, but Sonny Bill is 33 now, and there is few other big boys that can fill the Sonny Bill hit-it-up role.
