The milestones Beauden Barrett could break after re-signing with New…..

The milestones Beauden Barrett could break after re-signing with New…..

All Blacks veteran Beauden Barrett announced yesterday that he’s re-signed with New Zealand Rugby and the Blues until 2027, which puts him in position for another shot at the Rugby World Cup.

Barrett will be eligible for All Blacks selection upon his return to New Zealand later next year following a stint with Toyota Verblitz in Japan’s Rugby League One competition.

 

He scored the only try in the All Blacks’ defeat to South Africa in the World Cup final, eight years after dotting down in the 2015 final win over the Wallabies. The 32-year-old has finished first, third and second at his three World Cup tournaments, and a four-year deal leaves the door open for a fourth appearance at the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

Here’s a look at the milestones Beauden Barrett could achieve over the next four seasons in black.

Barrett has remained one of the most reliable All Blacks to be on the teamsheet in recent years, having played 33 of the side’s 40 tests over the last three seasons. He’s 30 tests shy of equalling Sam Whitelock’s test record as the most-capped All Black. He should overtake former teammates Aaron Smith, Kieran Read and possibly Keven Mealamu next season, which would leave him third on New Zealand’s male all-time list. Barrett currently sits in 22nd on the World Rugby all-time caps list.

 

Winning usually comes with the territory for the All Blacks – 11 of the top 12 players on the all-time list are New Zealanders – but it’s interesting to note that despite Whitelock playing six more games than McCaw, he didn’t play in as many victories. Barrett currently sits in sixth place on the win list, one spot behind Tony Woodcock.

Most defeats for the All Blacks
Sadly, the more you play, the more chances you have to lose in the black jersey.

 

 

He’s the only player to score twice in a World Cup final, the only try in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final defeat to the Springboks being his 43rd in test rugby. Barrett currently sits six tries shy of equalling the All Blacks record, and 26 behind all-time holder Daisuke Ohata. His try-scoring rate has dropped in recent years with four in the last two seasons, though seven over the next four years certainly seems achievable and would mean he’d become the first All Black to reach 50 – although Will Jordan, with 31 tries in 31 tests, is approaching at an impressive rate.

Most points for the All Blacks
Barrett hasn’t kicked a penalty for the All Blacks since 2021 and converted only four tries over the last two years, with Richie Mo’unga and little brother Jordie taking the kicking duties. He was, however, the main kicker for the Blues last season, so he hasn’t thrown away the kicking tee just yet. During his scoring peak for the All Blacks in 2016, 2017 and 2018, he was averaging 152 points for season. Even if he matched that again for the next four years, he would still be more than 200 points shy of Dan Carter’s record. Even Andrew Mehrtens seems too far away.

 

 

Most World Rugby Player of the Year awards

Only three men have won the World Rugby Player of theYear award on three occasions – Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. Barrett has two wins to his name in 2016 and 2018. He hasn’t been nominated since 2018, but you can’t rule it out, as he remains one of the stand-out players for the side.