All Black Jordie Barrett is loving his extended opportunity at inside centre with the Hurricanes in 2023.
Barrett, 26, has been a staple in both the Hurricanes and All Blacks’ backline in recent years, utilised across the board as a five-eighth, winger, centre and fullback.
With a diverse range of skills and standing at 1.96m, the Wellington back has become a true force in both Super Rugby and the international arena.
However, a recent transition to No.12 has seen Barrett shoot into the starting midfield for both sides, something he hopes will be a consistent move going forward.
“Hopefully (it’s my position now) … I’ve just got to keep trying to improve and get better every week,” Barrett told SENZ Breakfast.
“I know it sounds cliché but yeah, it’s a challenging position. You’re in the game all the time, both sides of the ball and no two games are the same each week.
“I guess (you’ve got to keep) preparing accordingly to the team you’re facing and just trying to impact the game as much as you can.”
Barrett was interested in transitioning to second five-eighth for a while, but coaches were hesitant to move him from fullback.
However, a stint with the Hurricanes allowed him to push for a midfield start in the All Blacks’ Autumn Series tour of the northern hemisphere where he shone at 12 inside partner Rieko Ioane.
While it is a position Barrett has experience playing in before, he says the demanding nature of playing at second five-eighth is what has been his biggest adjustment both domestically and internationally.
“In some ways instinctively it was a bigger change (when I was) younger in my career going back to fullback where I hadn’t really played at all,” he said.
“But I’m kind of going back to what I know and I’ve always done as a kid.
“I guess those changes, you’ve got less time, there’s more collisions, a lot of it’s front on and you’re in that transition zone where you’ve got to be across the board in defence and attack and I guess learning some detail off the back of the lineout where you’ve got to understand what pictures and shapes teams are going to throw at you and try (to) exploit you in that transition zone.
“Teams just go to try get some momentum in their first, second and third phase so I guess being one step ahead and trying to nullify that and stop all of their momenta and on the other side of the ball try and get some gain line yourself.
“It’s a position that requires a lot of preparation and it’s exciting, you’re always in the game.”
The Hurricanes will host the Blues on Saturday night at Sky Stadium.