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Analysis: Where has Beauden Barrett's kick-pass gone?

Where has Barrett's kick-pass gone?

It seems like last year an endless supply of cross-field kicks fuelled the Hurricanes attack, led by Beauden Barrett.

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Rainbow after rainbow sailed through the air to the likes of Laumape, Savea, Jane and younger brother Jordie on the flanks, much to the embarrassment of the opposition.

This year the kick-pass has been shelved for the most part by Barrett, tucked away back in the bag of tricks.

It seems strange that something so successful would almost disappear so quickly. Was it just a short-term gimic? Have edge defences patched up their shortcomings? Will we ever see it again in such frequency as 2017?

To find the answer, we explored what made the kick-pass so successful in the first place looking back at the scenarios it was deployed in.

In phase play, the most effective kicks came from ‘hot ball’ – either a quick turnover in attacking position or a decent break down the field. In both of these situations, a back-peddling defensive line offered an invitation to attack wide. With a scrambling defence, Barrett could use his precise boot to drop a dime over the top if space on the edge offered.

In transition plays, the opposition back three can find themselves operating a man down, making it hard to operate the pendulum between the wingers and fullback.

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There is no better example of this than against the Stormers, where he pulls the strings expertly on Dillyn Leyds. Entrenched in a kicking battle, Barrett identifies space in behind and opts to chip on the counter.

The dink finds the open space and draws Leyds (11) off his wing to clean up the loose ball.

Leyds tries to return serve downfield but is charged down by Brad Shields. The Hurricanes re-gather the loose ball and create a high-pressure transition phase for the Stormers.

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We can see the space developing in behind as the Stormers struggle to retreat after the error. The quick turnover sets the platform for the kick-pass, and Leyds is caught out of position.

Leyds frantically sprints back to cover the space but the Hurricanes recycle is too fast. The call has been made and Barrett puts the ball on the money in the exposed edge channel, hitting Cory Jane on the chest for five points.

Turning the ball over to the Hurricanes in your own half was an invitation for disaster, and one of the ways Barrett utilised his cross-field kicks to great effect.

Another phase play scenario was from opposition exit kicks. Having the opposition deep in their own territory is a good starting point. If the clearance failed to find touch, the Hurricanes had possession in striking range.

This situation is one the Hurricanes carefully plan to deliberately get ex-NRL winger Ngani Laumape onto the edge. We can see Laumape turn his back on the exit kick and make a beeline for the opposite touchline when retreating, setting himself up for a few phases later.

If space is available or he sights the winger up in the line, Laumape can make the call for the cross kick.

The Hurricanes also used the wipers option from set-piece for a one-on-one aerial contest, positioning the winger right on the touchline to get an isolated matchup. This was more of a calculated gamble, using a big man like Savea in the air against another winger.

This year they have focused more on using scrums with TJ Perenara as a playmaker, keeping ball in hand and utilising the strength of Laumape as a runner and the finishing touch of Ben Lam on the edge, rarely bringing out a cross-kick from set-piece.

So why have we seen reduced usage in phase play?

A lot has to do with the emergence of Ben Lam as a force on the wing, who has been given a lot of ball through the hands even though the kick-pass could be on. The Hurricanes haven’t used Lam in the air as much as they did with Savea on the left wing.

The absence of Cory Jane also has taken away a good jumping option on the right side, and perhaps it’s a communication problem – the calls may not be coming in without the experience of Jane.

The space has still been there, but the Hurricanes have just done other things.

Jordie Barrett (15) calls for the cross-field kick at the bottom of the screen but Beauden shapes to pass.

A lot of it has to do with Barrett looking to play more with a wide passing game. He has tried to use the long pass more but it hasn’t been as effective, often hitting the winger stagnant with the delivery behind the player.

 

 

When the Hurricanes enter the opposite half through their own possession, they have stayed true to using the 1-3-3-1 pattern to attack from, using Laumape as a backdoor release option in a receiver role.

The movement usually entails running multiple forwards around the corner to the opposite touchline from the lineout and then playing back through the pattern using the backdoor release options to keep one phase moving. This has expanded Laumape’s role a bit more and sees him tied up in the middle.

The quick ball scenarios off turnovers and long breaks haven’t been there this year – the opposition hasn’t been coughing up possession under pressure in their own half and the Hurricanes haven’t made massive inroads from their own half. Holding possession for long phases has been an issue. A chance to use the kick-pass might be developing but the ball is turned over too soon.

Heading into a do-or-die clash against the Chiefs, Beauden Barrett shouldn’t be afraid to pull out the kick-pass that was so effective in 2017. His wide passing hasn’t been clinical this year and he can exploit the space by using an old trick.

There is no better player in the game at doing it, and now could be just be the right time to bring it back.

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P
PL 46 minutes ago
Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


The officiating of last feet is non existent

The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

Last feet to last feet + 1 m


When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

25 were scrum for dissent


Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


All the s.ite would disappear


The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

1 Go to comments
S
Soliloquin 2 hours ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

237 Go to comments
S
Soliloquin 2 hours ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


I really hope that:

-Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

-Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

-Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

237 Go to comments
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LONG READ Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France