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Beauden Barrett to make Top League debut after being named to start for Suntory Sungoliath

19 Feb 2021

(Photo by BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP via Getty Images)

All Blacks star Beauden Barrett is set to finally make his long-awaited Top League debut for Suntory Sungoliath against Mitsubishi Dynaboars in Minami-Ku on Sunday.

Barrett has been named to start at first-five in what will be his first official appearance for the Japanese club since joining on a sabbatical deal from New Zealand Rugby and the Blues at the end of last year.

The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year’s debut has been a long time coming, with the Top League postponing its season for a month after three clubs – Suntory, Toyota Verblitz and Canon Eagles – suffered a COVID-19 outbreak within its squads.

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However, the competition is ready to get underway this weekend, and Barrett will take to the field alongside some notable names for Suntory.

Forming a strong halves partnership with Japanese international Yutaka Nagare, Barrett headlines a powerhouse backline that also includes former Wallabies midfielder Samu Kerevi and ex-Blues and Highlanders wing Tevita Li.

In the pack, former Reds lock Harry Hockings will kit up in the second row, while tighthead prop Sam Talakai – formerly of the Waratahs, Reds and Rebels – gets the nod at No. 3.

In an added twist, Barrett will mark his former All Blacks teammate Colin Slade, who is also on his Top League debut after moving to the Dynaboars from French club Pau last year.

Slade will be joined by fellow ex-All Black Jackson Hemopo, who will start at lock as he enters his second season in the Top League.

Slade and Hemopo aren’t the only New Zealanders in the Mitsubishi lineup.

Former Hurricanes and Crusaders loose forward Heiden Bedwell-Curtis will start at No. 8, ex-Blues and Sunwolves midfielder Michael Little is at centre, and former Blues utility back Matt Vaega has been selected at fullback.

Well-traveled utility back James Wilson – who has previously played across New Zealand, Australia, France and England – is also on the bench.

Elsewhere, Barrett’s All Blacks and former Hurricanes halves partner TJ Perenara will make his debut at halfback for NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes against the Canon Eagles on Sunday.

Like Barrett, Perenara is on sabbatical in Japan, and will square off against the likes of Springboks centre Jesse Kriel, ex-Highlanders cult hero Fumiaki Tanaka, former Sunwolves speedster Hosea Saumaki, Brave Blossoms pivot Yu Tamura and former Chiefs and Highlanders utility forward Jesse Parete at Machida Stadium in Tokyo.

In the other Top League match on Sunday, Hino Red Dolphins – featuring ex-All Blacks halfback Augustine Pulu and former Chiefs and Rebels playmaker Jack Debreczeni – will host Kwagga Smith’s Yamaha Jubilo in Osaka.

The 2021 Top League season kicks-off on Saturday when NTT Communications Shining Arcs take on Honda Heat in Tokyo at 1pm on Saturday [local time].

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bit of a flanker 17 minutes ago

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But no mention that the RFU later agreed that an offence had been committed…rugby an absolute joke at the minute. Really feel for the falcons there

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fl 23 minutes ago

'Caelan Doris... I’m not sure he gets in the Lions back row at the moment'

Does he have to name a tour captain? Itoje and Doris will both captain during the warmup games. Jamie George will too if he’s in the squad, and Jac Morgan and Finn Russell might get a look in too if they’re lucky. Farrell could then choose a captain for the tests after he’s taken some time to see what works.

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fl 27 minutes ago

'Caelan Doris... I’m not sure he gets in the Lions back row at the moment'

JD you’re forgetting one thing - IkeaBoy is very stupid!

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Duhan van der Merwe's Lions tour thrown into doubt

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Ronald Fraser 2 hours ago

Duhan van der Merwe's Lions tour thrown into doubt

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JD 3 hours ago

'Caelan Doris... I’m not sure he gets in the Lions back row at the moment'

Doris didn’t play that well though, while other number 8’s really shone. Hell Conan made more impact during his minutes than Doris. It doesn’t matter how well Ireland did. Example - Sale lost to Toulouse last weekend, but Ben Curry was phenomenal despite losing.

Don’t judge a player on 5 games is my opinion, class is permanent. Doris does need some good games between now and the end of the season though.

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Katy Martin 3 hours ago

Duhan van der Merwe's Lions tour thrown into doubt

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JD 3 hours ago

Despite the Croke Park horror show, Marcus Smith shouldn't be discounted from Lions conversation

Taking 2 fly halfs and 2 fullbacks plus Marcus Smith leaves an extra tour spot. Quids in it will be Elliott Daly given his versatility. Personally I’m not a huge fan of his, but for a tour like this he will be ideal given the sheer number of matches. A further centre cum flyhalf (Jordan) isn’t needed as Kinghorn can play 10 as well. Part of me really wants Manu on that plane.

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JD 3 hours ago

'Caelan Doris... I’m not sure he gets in the Lions back row at the moment'

Farrell comes left field and names Jac Morgan as tour captain…

One problem for Doris currently is the form of Jack Conan. Conan is basically playing anywhere just to get on the pitch and is starting tonight at 8 vs Glasgow.

It’s an interesting thing to consider. Neither Doris nor Itoje are hugely experienced captains, but the argument could be made that Maro has more experience at the top given his amount of international caps and previous Lions involvement.

Both will be leaders in the pack regardless. Whoever is captain has to be a nailed on starter though. It’s not that outlandish to namecheck the current England captain as a potential tour captain really given Farrell only has a few options in front of him.

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JD 3 hours ago

'Caelan Doris... I’m not sure he gets in the Lions back row at the moment'

He’ll be starting second row anyway so surely it’s irrelevant to Oz whether he’s captain or not then?

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NB 4 hours ago

Why French rugby would be poorer if Ronan O'Gara leaves La Rochelle

Every league bar hte Top 14 is posting huge numbers of points 👍

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NB 4 hours ago

Why French rugby would be poorer if Ronan O'Gara leaves La Rochelle

He ruled it out previously.

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NB 4 hours ago

Why French rugby would be poorer if Ronan O'Gara leaves La Rochelle

For sure, but it’s not a reason to trade away a series win in NZ - at least not unless you’re inhabiting an alternate universe!

NZ prob learned more because Schmidt came in, and he was far more familiar with developments in Ireland than any of the local coaches.

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NB 4 hours ago

Why French rugby would be poorer if Ronan O'Gara leaves La Rochelle

They are not opposed points of view FL.

England up to Ireland 2024 tended to kick back rather than return. Their KR improvement coincided with both trhe intro of Furbank at 15, and Felix Jones running a more aggressive form of D.

France are good kick returners, but most of the work on that is done by the coaches at Toulouse and UBB, who have adopted a similar style.

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IkeaBoy 4 hours ago

'Caelan Doris... I’m not sure he gets in the Lions back row at the moment'

Its the Oz media. They want him as captain with his penalty count and discipline woes. He’d help them no end.

13 Go to comments

DP 4 hours ago

'Caelan Doris... I’m not sure he gets in the Lions back row at the moment'

Tinsel has zero rugby IQ but a lot of influential rugby mates. The bloke spouts so much nonsense it’s hilarious to hear, he speaks with such conviction… blinkered and rose tinted conviction, much like most of the English players from his era.

13 Go to comments

fl 4 hours ago

Why French rugby would be poorer if Ronan O'Gara leaves La Rochelle

could O’Gara take the top job at Wales now though?

50 Go to comments

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