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How being a jack of all trades helped Jordie Barrett master the midfield
By Ned Lester
When it comes to backlines, Jordie Barrett can service any area outside of the halves but the 26-year-old's latest position looks to be his best yet; in 2022 the former fullback made a seamless transition into the midfield.
While it was a relatively quiet Super Rugby Pacific campaign for the youngest Barrett brother in his first full professional season at 12, his skillset has been more than influential in the All Blacks' season to date.
Since claiming the No 12 jersey in 2022's Bledisloe Cup, Barrett's physicality has given the All Blacks attack an element that has been sorely missed since the departure of Ngani Laumape; the crash and bash component.
Barrett's 1.96m 105kg frame is a handful for opposition defences, while his skillset adds a fourth kicking option to an All Blacks attack that has proven to be at its best when exercising an unpredictable game plan through the many playmakers it possesses.
Barrett credits his well-rounded skillset to his well-rounded rugby experience as a youngster when he played all over the backline.
"I think with me being quite versatile at a young age and playing almost every position in the backline," Barrett told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. "It gives you a good perspective of what other players want out of you and what you need out of them. So it was great for my growth and in some ways probably fast-tracking my footy IQ a wee bit.
"I just understood what was required in each position and what you need out of each other really. And I guess systematically, once you're in multi-phase, 10, 12s, 15s, wingers even now, all the roles are interchangeable but it's just those little things can mean a lot.
"Off set-piece, particularly with the way different teams are defending and the way you go in and game plan each week, now that changes from week to week and internationally it happens every week and you've got to adjust your game like that, but the versatility's helped me in that aspect I feel."
Prior to his injury, David Havili's - another versatile fullback converted to second-five - kicking game unlocked rush defences by drawing the defensive line further in than just the first receiver, creating space in behind for a chip-kick.
That skill quickly became an essential for the All Blacks attack and demanded a skill most 12s around the country hadn't fully developed.
When Barrett got his chance in the midfield, his kicking ability serviced that need while his size offered the ability for a more direct running game as well.
Once Havili returned from injury, he was utilised off the bench on last year's Northern Tour and was unable to reclaim his starting role. Havili was again injured and missed the recent Rugby Championship while Barrett furthered his case for a starting gig at the World Cup and despite Havili's return, all signs point to Barrett being the man for the job.
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