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Hurricanes looking overseas for Barrett replacement - reports

Beauden Barrett. (Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)

One of the more iconic images of Super Rugby in recent seasons has been that of Beauden Barrett making his darting runs or incisive kicks from first receiver in the vibrant yellow of the Hurricanes jersey.

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That will come to an end next season, as the All Blacks‘ first-choice fly-half has agreed to move to the Blues, turning down plenty of more lucrative offers from abroad. Barrett has cited the “potential” of the Blues as one of the major reasons for the move and his new contract with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) will see him stay in the country until at least the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Whilst the move is exciting news for the Blues and their fans, it leaves a gargantuan hole in the Hurricanes’ roster, with only Fletcher Smith and Jackson Garden-Bachop currently competing for the vacated 10 jersey.

According to the New Zealand Herald, the Hurricanes are “in conversations with several offshore options to replace Barrett” and Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee has done nothing to dampen those rumours.

Speaking to the Herald, Lee highlighted the opportunity that replacing Barrett offers.

“We’re very active in the market. Nothing to report – nothing is close – but we are very active in terms of conversations with players and agents assessing our options. We’d like to get that locked away sooner rather than later.

“There’s obviously speculation and when you’ve got quality first fives wherever they are in the world, there’s always going to be suggestions of if that player will go and take over from Beauden Barrett.

“That’s the world we live in – we’re in the market, so people will talk.”

With the likes of Aaron Cruden, Hayden Parker and Lima Sopoaga linked to the franchise, speculation is understandable, although according to the Herald, Lee insists that none of those three players are among the group that the Hurricanes are talking to.

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If the Hurricanes are looking for Kiwi or New Zealand-qualified options from overseas, Sopoaga’s Wasps teammates Jimmy Gopperth and Jacob Umaga could also be in the mix, as could French-based fly-halves Colin Slade and Ihaia West. Wharenui Hawera and Matt McGahan could also be on the radar, with the pair having moved across the Tasman to the Brumbies and Reds respectively in recent seasons.

There is no shortage of domestic talent, either, with the Blues’ stable of Otere Black, Harry Plummer and Stephen Perofeta likely to be at least partially disbanded following the arrival of Barrett.

Watch: Steve Hansen defends Beauden Barrett’s penalty kick indiscretion

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AM 39 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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