All Blacks ace Beauden Barrett is eager to play in a full-on trans-Tasman Super Rugby competition in 2022 with two Pacific Island sides as dangerous wildcards.
Barrett may be in Japan gearing up for Suntory Sungoliath’s Top League quarter-final on May 9 yet the twists and turns of Super Rugby are always magnetic for him.
The fast-footed flyhalf confirmed in a Zoom hook-up this week he will return to New Zealand mid-year for the All Blacks’ campaign and be back in Super Rugby next year with the Blues when he’ll be 30.
He is certain there is an appetite for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, with eased border restrictions, and the introduction of the planned Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika teams for 2022.
“Absolutely. I do hope that eventuates and forms some sort of round-robin competition,” Barrett said.
“I guess we throw away home-and-away Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super Rugby AU and just make it one big competition.
“I hope sometime soon we can add some more teams into the Super Rugby competition. It’s so important for us to have a local competition and be challenging ourselves against the Pacific Islands and Australia. You can throw Japan in there too.
“There are a lot of capable teams.”
Barrett will be watching from afar when the first iteration kicks off on May 14-15 with five matches in the 10-team Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
“It’s great that our governments have found a way to travel and that we can play these games,” Barrett said.
“I know the guys back home in New Zealand will be really keen to get into the competition from Super Rugby in Australia and just see where they are at.
“I watch it, a lot of players watch the Australian teams. It’s going to make a great spectacle and be some good watching leading into The Rugby Championship and the Bledisloe Cup.”
Australian rugby fans too often only see Super Rugby through their own lens so it was interesting to get Barrett’s take on losing South African involvement after 25 years.
“I guess with South Africa's teams being taken away from us that’s one trip we took for granted. Personally, I used to love going there as a player,” Barrett said.
The 88-Test star’s positive time with Suntory, on top of his 2019 Rugby World Cup experience, has reinforced to Barrett how important it is to keep nourishing Japanese rugby.
Japanese coach Jamie Joseph has pushed the idea of Japan joining an expanding format for The Rugby Championship.
Feasible?
“I’d like to think so. From what I’ve seen up here the skills level and the pace the Japanese play the game at in the Top League is impressive. It’s like a fast Super Rugby game,” Barrett said.
“I hope that can happen.”
Barrett and lock Brodie Retallick, who played the last of his 81 Tests at the World Cup 17 months ago, both agree they’ll be in top physical condition for the All Blacks later in the year.
“A lot of people think we come up here for a holiday but it’s anything but that,” Barrett said.
“We are training and playing really hard. The work ethic of the people and players up here is impressive.
“I hope to come back in great condition and ready to get into whatever is thrown at me. It’s up to (All Blacks coach) Ian Foster.”
Retallick, with Kobe Steelers, agreed: “The break I had last year was actually six-or-seven months (because of COVID). That was awesome for the body and I also got a decent pre-season of work.”
The 2014 World Rugby Player of the Year still has the drive to attack fresh ambitions with the All Blacks.
“Hopefully, I get the chance to play Test rugby this year. There are lot of great locks going around NZ at the moment,” Retallick said.
“I’m under no illusions about just walking back in. I’ve got to earn a spot.”
Retallick has a high regard for coach Dave Rennie and what he can do with the Wallabies after spending two championship seasons under him at the Chiefs in 2012-13.
“I’ve only seen what he produced last year with the team but there have been some encouraging signs there,” Retallick said with Kiwi moderation.
“I know one thing for sure ‘Rens’ loves a challenge and will put in the work needed.
“I hear there is going to be a TRC. To get those back-to-back Tests and another year under his belt working with players hopefully (means) some exciting times building on last year’s performance.”
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As strict as the COVID rules have been in Japan, there has been an unexpected bonus for Barrett, wife Hannah and their first-born daughter Billi Rose, just seven-months-old.
“It’s been a true blessing having so much time with her and Hannah,” Barrett said.
“There’s so much time away from training and you can’t go out and catch up with mates or the team with the protocols and States of Emergency.
“The rules have been strict but we’ve still been able to play under fairly trying circumstances.”
He has also found an unlikely ally to keep working on his game.
Australian Eddie Jones, the England coach, has been a long-time coaching advisor-cum-rugby guru at Suntory and is currently in Japan.
“Eddie has a bit to do with Suntory and my dealings have been so good for me,” Barrett said.
“When he does have something to tell me, they’re like little pieces of gold. His understanding of the game is exceptional.”
Barrett plays at Suntory alongside Australians Samu Kerevi, Sean McMahon and Harry Hockings.
“It’s been great to play with Seany and Samu. Samu ran over me at training last week and dinged my neck. That’s not the first time that’s happened either,” Barrett said with a laugh.
Australian rugby has not seen the last of the trio, according to Barrett.
“Both have shared their desire to go back for another World Cup. It’s definitely in them. I guess they have to work it through with Australian rugby and there’s also young Harry Hockings.”
