Beauden Barrett

At 32 years old, Beauden Barrett has this physical status:

Beauden John Barrett (born 27 May 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union player.

He plays fullback for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks, in the First Five-Eighth position (Fly-Half) for Taranaki and the Auckland-based Super Rugby team.

He was a key member of the 2015 Rugby World Cup winning team.

Barrett also plays fullback and wing, as shown with Taranaki and the All Blacks.

Barrett received the World Rugby Player of the Year award in 2016 and 2017, but he is only the second person to win the award in back-to-back years, after former teammate Richie McCaw. Barrett has played at under-20 and Sevens for New Zealand before being called into the All Blacks' preparation squad in May 2012 and making his international debut as a replacement in Hamilton's final test against Ireland, when he kicked nine points on June 23.

He debuted for Taranaki in 2010 and with the Hurricanes in 2011, making his debut in Super Rugby. Barrett has won the first test since his first test (19 victories out of 19 tests).

Early life

Barrett was born in New Plymouth to parents Robyn and Kevin Barrett. He grew up on a farm in Pungarehu, a small town in South Taranaki near 'punake, with his seven children. Kane, a former Blues rep and Taranaki captain and current All Blacks, Scott and Jordie, has four brothers and three sisters, including Kane. When Barrett was eight years old, he lived in Ireland for a year. He attended St Fiach's National School in Ballinacree, where he and his brother Kane learned how to play Gaelic football. He played for the Rahotu and Coastal Rugby clubs throughout his youth rugby, although he also represented Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth, where he excelled in the first XV, which included All Black teammate Liam Coltman.

Barrett came to the notice of national selectors when he was selected in the New Zealand Sevens team for the final two legs of the 2010 IRB Sevens World Series in England and Scotland, winning over Taranaki in the ITM Cup against Northland.

Personal life

In a private ceremony on Rakino Island, Barrett proposed to his long-time girlfriend Hannah Laity in 2018 and the following year, they married. They have two children together.

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Professional career

Barrett made his debut for Taranaki in the 2010 ITM Cup tournament, starting as a replacement against Northland. In his first season for the province, the 19-year-old had a strong foot in attacking the line and creating space, earning him the Most Popular Player of the Year award. After a good showing against Manawatu, Barrett soon enough caught the attention of coaches. With ten minutes to play, coming off the bench to score a 65-meter solo try that gave his team a bonus point victory. Taranaki's third attempt of the season led to their eighth victory of the season, and they remain in the top four.

Barrett was left with difficult decisions to make about his Super Rugby future after he spent his season with Taranaki. Weighing down whether or not to pursue a larger training group contract with the Hurricanes or take a look at other alternatives, including one from the Blues. After turning down the Blues' offer, Barrett decided to join the Hurricanes as a wider squad member in 2011. He was called up by the Hurricanes before the side's 2011 tour to South Africa, where he spent time off the bench, earning his first four Hurricane caps. He made his debut in a 547 victory over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, a match that saw the Hurricanes beat Jeremy Thrush on full throttle with a bid to bind him to death that Barrett converted.

Barrett scored 90 points for the season on his second season with the Taranaki squad for the 2011 ITM Cup, including an ITM Cup record, after winning by 39-33 over Bay of Plenty. Taranaki earned his third position in the ITM Cup, finishing his team's win over Southland with Barrett playing. Barrett was named Taranaki's best back of the year for his efforts.

Barrett got off to a good start against the Stormers in 2012. During a 39–26 loss, he put on a man of the match appearance. Barrett led with two try assists, one for second five Tim Bateman and another for reserve hooker Motu Matu'u who was later disallowed by the television match official. He scored one himself and ended all of his six attempts at goal. During the Hurricanes' 66-24 victory over the Melbourne Rebels, Barrett also displayed a record-breaking game kick. It was his 21 points that shattered numerous franchise records previously held by Jon Preston, including his 1997 record of 152 points for the season. All nine of his conversion attempts went well, surpassing Christian Cullen, Willie Ripia, and Jimmy Gopperth's previous record of six. It was only the second time the Hurricanes had scored nine tries in a match, and their total number of 66 was higher against Northern Transvaal in 1997.

Barrett was selected in the All Blacks squad for New Zealand's Irish tour in June 2012. Barrett's Test debut was a memorable one; the first five-eighth came off the bench after 24 minutes and the All Blacks gained 9 points in a historic victory over the Irish. In 2012, he appeared in five Tests.

Barrett appeared only four times in 2012 for Taranaki, despite his international commitments, netting a respectable 60 points. He began the season off by beating Bay of Plenty, although he wasn't successful on a 70-meter intercept try and converting all his goals. Barrett was then allowed by New Zealand national coach Steve Hansen to begin his first run-on against Wellington after Taranaki's triumphant Ranfurly Shield defense against Tasman on September 1st. When Taranaki defeated Canterbury in the 2012 rugby semifinals, he was also present in the 2012 rugby semifinals. Following a 27-all draw at full time, the match had to go into extra time.

In 2013, Barrett played for the Hurricanes in his third Super Rugby appearance and finished with 186 points for the year. He found his best form of the season in the number 10 position, but was moved to fullback and then again throughout the season after demonstrating his versatility for the Hurricanes in the position that year. Barrett was prevented from running out for Taranaki due to his international commitments. Despite being a spectator at the unveiling of the team's 2013 alternative rugby jersey, he did not appear at the launch of the team's new 2013 alternative rugby jersey.

Barrett returned to international rugby in 2013, after being named in the All Blacks squad for the French tour of New Zealand. Barrett was a key player in the United States' triumph over France by a score of 30 points in his first test attempt, which was later named International Rugby Players' Association's Try of the Year for 2013.

Barrett put an end to rumors about his future by signing a two-year deal extension with the Hurricanes in 2014. After reportedly being close to joining the Blues, the then 23-year-old only signed a 12-month contract the previous year. Barrett and Julian Savea started all sixteen games for the Hurricanes, and by early April in the 2014 Super Rugby season, he had already scored 100 points. He scored 209 points on the season.

Barrett appeared in all three Tests against England in June 2014, starting on the bench. In August, he started from the bench in the first two Bledisloe Cup Test games against Australia.

Barrett had the opportunity to start with the All Blacks No. 1 in September 2014. For the first time in his career, he has ten jerseys. Following Aaron Cruden's injury, he played against Argentina at McLean Park in Napier. Despite having a difficult night with his goal-kicking, he did well with just one out of five attempts, and was instrumental in the team's three attempts. In the 55th minute, Colin Slade subbed him off. He was ruled out of the home-game match against South Africa this week, and Aaron Cruden was brought on to substitute Aaron Cruden in the 58th minute of the All Blacks' 14–10 victory over South Africa, with him kicking a winning penalty kick.

Barrett got a chance to start in the All Blacks No. 10 after Cruden's boozy night out and off-field drama. Starting with the last two Tests of the Rugby Championship, the 10 (Fly Half) role will play. He led the All Blacks to their third straight Rugby Championship Title in La Plata's 34–13 victory over Argentina, which was followed by a 25-27 loss to South Africa in Johannesburg. As the 5th highest point-scoer in the Rugby Championship, he scored 30 points (6 conversion goals and 6 penalty goals) and was 5th highest point-scoer (behind teammate Aaron Cruden with 37 points).

Despite Cruden's return to the team squad for their third Bledisloe Cup match in Brisbane, coach Steve Hansen selected Barrett to start at No. 18 on October 18, 2014. For the team's match against the Wallabies, they received a tenth of ten. He played for 72 minutes, kicking 3 goals from 4 attempts, and had a good showing before being replaced by Colin Slade. The All Blacks won the game 29–28. Barrett was selected for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, beginning in one fixture against Namibia and then moving to wing and fullback in the rest.

Barrett sustained a few injuries during the 2015 hurricanes, including several in 2015. On May 2, Barrett's scans revealed a grade-two tear of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee, prompting him to start recovering for a knee injury against the Crusaders. He had been ruled out of the Hurricanes' Super Rugby derby match against the Chiefs due to a calf strain. Barrett returned to Hurricanes just in time for the 2015 Super Rugby final, in which the Highlanders shocked and heaped grief on the Hurricanes with a 21–14 win in Wellington.

Barrett returned to Taranaki in 2015 after missing the 2013 and 2014 seasons for the province after appearing in round three of the competition. After a break, he saw him smash the Otago line with ease and speed, then proceeded to find wing Jackson Ormond in support to give his permission for the first attempt in the 12th minute, his appearance was not unnoticed. With three minutes remaining in the first half, he sized up his choices perfectly to miss a kick across field where right wing Codey Rei was waiting in good space to get the ball and score.

Barrett was selected by All Black Head Coach Steve Hansen for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Barrett got off the bench to cover wing and fullback in the rest of the game against Namibia. Barrett scored his last try in the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final match against Australia on October 31, 2015, having been ruled out for the injured Nehe Milner-Skudder. Dan Carter converted his attempt to make the final score 34–17.

Barrett also scored the most individual points of the season in 2016 with 223, in addition, being the only one in the 2016 Super Rugby season to reach 200 points. As the Hurricanes defeated the Lions 20-3 to win their first title, he was named man of the match in the Super Rugby final, scoring 15 points.

Barrett came off the bench in the second test on the Wales tour to New Zealand after Aaron Cruden was injured, scoring 11 points in the second test, which New Zealand defeated 36-22. Barrett started with Wales in the final test, and he was praised for his 26-point haul in a 46-6 loss of a trained Wales team.

Barrett supplanted Aaron Cruden at fly-half for the 2016 Rugby Championship due to his superb form for the Hurricanes and against Wales during their tour; As New Zealand defeated Australia by a record 42-8 margin, he seemed to solidify his status as New Zealand's first choice fly-half; he followed this with another 29-9 victory over Australia in round 2. Barrett continued to get better as the Rugby Championship went on, with New Zealand comfortably beating Argentina 57-22 and South Africa 41-13, winning the Championship with two rounds to spare. Barrett was the tournament's highest point scorer, scoring 81 points in the six matches played. By the time of the tournament, Barrett had supplanted Aaron Cruden as New Zealand's first-choice and continued to be a regular starter in the end-of-year tour.

After scoring on debut, Barrett managed to convert his brother Scott Barrett's first test attempt in the All Blacks' 40-29 loss against Ireland in November.

Barrett received the award for World Rugby Player of the Year later this year, defeating colleague Dane Coles to receive the award and becoming the next All Blacks player after Dan Carter was named champion. Barrett's 95-meter individual effort against France in New Zealand's final match of the year saw him overtake Ben Smith as the second highest try scorer in the All Blacks for the year, scoring 9 tries in total, surpassing his career total. Barrett came in last place behind winger Israel Dagg, who scored ten attempts last year.

Barrett was in most Hurricanes games during the 2017 Super Rugby season, but he resigned his kicking duties to younger brother Jordie Barrett due to a leg injury. Barrett also scored 58 points in the season despite this. Barrett's discipline was also off, with Barrett finishing the year as the year's most-carded player. During the season, Barrett received four yellow cards as well as a red card. Barrett's red card was his first of his career for being given two yellow cards against the Waratahs after a deliberate knock-down and an offside against the Waratahs.

In 2017, Barrett was selected for the All Blacks' 33-man squad to face Manu Samoa and the British and Irish Lions. Hurricane Jordie was also selected for his brothers Scott and his sister Jordie. The Barrett family was the first to have three siblings selected for the same All Blacks squad. Barrett's 50th test match, against Samoa, on June 16, 2017, was also his brother Jordie's debut. Though Beauden and Jordie were not on the field at the same time, Scott also shared game time with them.

Barrett went on to score 41 points in the three tests against the British and Irish Lions, being the highest points scorer of the series. Barrett missed three of his ten kicks during the second test of the season, while the All Blacks dominated the series.

Despite public calls to replace Barrett with outstanding Highlanders first-five Lima Sopoaga, Barrett was retained as a regular starter for the 2017 Rugby Championship. Barrett was named as the All Black Vice-Captain for the remainder of 2017, succeeding Ben Smith, who took a sabbatical leave. Barrett was dismissed after just 33 minutes for a concussion test, and Lima Sopoaga took his place. After Barrett failed to make it back on the track, the All Blacks defeated 25-24.

Barrett converted from concussion to captain of the All Blacks for the first time in a non-cap match over the Barbarians on November 4, which the All Blacks defeated 31-22. Barrett started all three tests on the end-of-year tour, scoring the winning attempt against Scotland in a dramatic 22-17 victory.

For the second time in 2017, Barrett was named World Rugby Player of the Year for the second time, as well as becoming the third player to win the award twice in succession. Barrett also scored the second-most tries of any All Black in 2017, tying with Waisake Naholo and recording six tries in 2017. Ioane was the only All Black to score more than Barrett in 2017, scoring 10 tries.

In Round 4, Barrett and his Hurricanes teammate Ben May played their 100th game against the Crusaders on March 10, 2018. The Hurricanes won the match 29-19, with Barrett lasting the full 80 minutes. Barrett earned 117 points, five of whom were tries, at the end of the Super Rugby season.

Barrett scored his first All Black attempt in 2018, but he had no participation in the three-test 2018 Steinlager series against France due to injury. Barrett was recalled by Damian McKenzie just 12 minutes into the exam on June 16, 2018. Barrett was suspended from the field for a concussion test, but he failed due to a mid-air brawl against French fullback Benjamin Fall. Fall was controversially red-carded by referee Angus Gardner for triggering Barrett's dangerous landing, but Fall was later cleared and not barred from doing so. Barrett did not participate in the third test of the series, with the All Blacks winning both three tests.

Barrett's 2018 Rugby Championship was largely a mixed competition. With 61 points, he became the second-to-highest point scorer in the Rugby Championship. Barrett's career attempt count tally to 30 attempts was up by five attempts, bringing his total number to 30 tries, which was a major career milestone. Barrett's four attempts in the tournament were all in a single test against the Wallabies on August 25, 2018. Barrett was the first All Black to score four points in a test after his former teammates Zac Guildford scored four against Canada in 2011. Barrett earned Man of the Match for his efforts, becoming the first player to ever score more than three tries against the Wallabies, scoring 30 points in the process. Barrett was deemed to have silenced critics who wanted him to be replaced by the Crusaders' first-five and new All Black Richie Mo'unga, but the All Blacks also gained a victory with his follow-up appearance.

Barrett kicked only two of the six goals he attempted against South Africa on September 15, 2018, in his following appearance. The All Blacks then barely escaped to South Africa by 34-36 points. If Barrett kicked two more of his goals, the All Blacks may have won by two points. The All Black selectors responded to Barrett's appearance against South Africa, with Mo'unga selected over Damian McKenzie as Barrett's back-up off the bench. Barrett did well in the last round of the tournament, when he was forced to full speed by Richie Mo'unga after he was replaced by Waisake Naholo. In the last 20 minutes, Barrett, Mo'unga, and Hurricanes loose forward Ardie Savea had a commanding teamwork, allowing the All Blacks to beat South Africa 32-30.

Barrett's 2018 end-of-year tour saw him defeat Dan Carter as the most consistent try-scorer to ever play at first-five, defeating the Wallabies thanks to a pass from Rieko Ioane during his 37-20 victory.

Barrett was kept in the starting lineup for the test against Japan after being rested and missing out on a test against Japan. Barrett was one of three first-five fielded by New Zealand on the day, with Richie Mo'unga on the bench and Damian McKenzie at fullback. Barrett's appearance against England in the 46th minute was the first drop-goal of his career, responding to continuing skepticism regarding his goal-kicking. Barrett's appearance made a big difference in the final score, 16-15, a win for New Zealand. Barrett, on the other hand, gave up what might have been the match-winning effort to England. Sam Underhill, England's third-choice openside flanker, beat Barrett by a few points, resulting in what would have been a try. Underhill's attempt was discredited due to an offside charge brought down by replacement forward Courtney Lawes, who left Barrett's 100 percent kicking percentage as the way New Zealand defeated the test.

Barrett kicked a drop goal against Ireland this week in an ill-fated loss of 9-16. Barrett was New Zealand's only point scorer in the loss, as well as kicking two penalty goals. Barrett was subbed off in the final test of the year against Italy, scoring a 15-point haul during the 66-3 victory.

Barrett re-signed with New Zealand Rugby through to 2023, as well as announcing that he will shift Super Rugby clubs, from the Hurricanes to the Auckland-based Blues, following the 2019 Super Rugby season. Barrett spent his career with the Hurricanes as their all-time leading points scorer, with 1238 points, as well as the fourth-to-most cap hurricane of all time, behind Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, and current All Blacks teammate TJ Perenara.

Barrett started one game at first five and two games at fullback in the All Black's 2019 Rugby Championship campaign. Barrett was able to score a total of 20 points in three games, including partially handing over the ball to Richie Mo'unga, giving him the All Black's top point scorer (10 points vs. Argentina, 5 points vs South Africa, and 5 points vs Australia).

Barrett took his third straight test against Australia in the second Bledisloe Cup test of 2019. Barrett's collaboration with Richie Mo'unga, the new regular at first-five, was also a success, with Mo'unga winning over Barrett as the first choice.

Barrett was selected in New Zealand's 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup on August 28, 2019, marking Barrett's second World Cup appearance. Barrett continued to participate in five tests throughout the season, but New Zealand's appearance in third place was disappointing.

Barrett in a season marred by COVID-19 Barrett, played for the Blues in the 2020 Super Rugby season until it was postponed and in the upcoming 2020 Super Rugby Aotearoa season.

Barrett appeared in six tests in October and November, three against Australia and two against Argentina. In the last test against Australia, he was ranked as the first five-eighth, but in the other four tests, he began at Fullback. Richie Mo'unga and Jordie went to goal kicking duties, but he did not get any points or points.

Barrett was sabbatical in Japan with top League club Suntory Sungoliath, but he did not appear for the Blues in the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa or Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.

Barrett's return to the international stage was his 100th test match in the match against Wales at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on October 30th, 2021. He had two attempts.

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