It was supposed to be a standard Monday. There wasn’t supposed to be any big news. The minds of Leinster fans weren’t supposed to be blown. The hearts of Munster, Ulster and Connaught fans weren’t supposed to have been broken. But, sport is unpredictable. Leinster are now supposed to win everything next season, but whether they will or not remains to be seen.
Before Leinster fans or otherwise can get too ahead of themselves, however, there needs to be the question answered:
How does Jordie Barrett fit into the Leinster team?
For starters, the backline is already thicker than an Irish stew – except instead of potatoes, onions and sheep meat, it consists from surface to surface full of international talent. So to break apart a combination that has proven to work so wonderfully for so many years could well be a detriment to itself, especially when considering the arrival of Barrett is set to last just six months…
So, what does Leinster head coach Leo Cullen do? Does he look at Barrett as the most high-profile super-sub the world of rugby has ever seen, or does he upset the apple cart by introducing him into the starting foray?
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 20: The MASTERCARD Player of the Match, Jordie Barrett of New Zealand, is presented with a Trophy by Dan Carter, former New Zealand rugby player, after the Rugby World Cup France 2023 semi-final match between Argentina and New Zealand at Stade de France on October 20, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by David Ramos – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Let’s have a look at the options.
Jordie Barrett Super-Sub
When Leinster announced they were signing Jordie Barrett from the Hurricanes on a short term deal, nobody would have thought “what a great sub he would make”. The question that people have been asking is, “who is he replacing?” and for other teams, “what’s the f***ing point?”
Well, maybe the super sub option is exactly what the modern game of rugby is screaming out for – the ringer to steal the game in the final 30.
Known for his impeccable handling and kicking skills, as well as his ability to read the game like very few others, Jordie Barrett is arguably one of the most diverse players in the modern game, boasting an ability to step into any position with immense confidence and control.
His highly impressive skill sets could provide an entirely different dynamic for the Leinster gameplan. Cullen could take a leaf out of Rassie Erasmus’ highly obscure tactics book and introduce a 6-2 bench split, with Barrett able to provide game changing cover from all positions.
Jordie Barrett Super-Centre
The famous Henshaw-Ringrose combination has been unrivalled in Irish rugby for the the best part of a decade now, but for the first time in their senior careers, their club partnership faces a new, serious, challenge. Whilst Barrett isn’t coming into the squad to deliberately cause disruption amongst the stars of the Leinster backline, it is now unavoildable.
The clear swap in this situation would be at 12, Barrett for Henshaw. Warmly nicknamed “Old Man Bob Henshaw”, the Irish centre is facing the prospect of turning the grand old age of 31 by the time his new mate Jordie turns up in Dublin midway through next season.
Whilst he is arguably still in the prime of rugby playing life, the Irish international has found himself threatened more now on selection than he has done in the previous 8 years of his life. Losing his international space to an older player in Bundee Aki would have come as a crushing blow to a man who has always been seen as the number one, so with Barrett soon to be heading over on the 26-hour flight from Wellington, the thought of keeping his place could well grind the back of his mind.
Facing a threat on two fronts, Henshaw also has to be aware of the talented youngsters now coming through the Leinster system, specifically brothers, Jamie and Andrew Osbourne who are both hot on the heels of the Athlone man.
But one threat at a time – Jordie Barrett has been the All Black’s number one choice at inside centre now for a couple of years, with his quality distribution and kicking game being touted as the main factors for his dominance in the position. It has been suggested by many that Barrett, in this space of time, is the greatest 12 in the game, making his exclusion from the starting team an almost unthinkable act.
This would leave Henshaw and Ringrose to fight it out over the 13 shirt. Ringrose’s has extensive experience in the position would most likely result in a Barrett/Ringrose split with Henshaw providing cover from the bench.
Jordie Barrett Super-Safe-Fullback
The most unlikely of all scenarios, especially considering Barrett no longer classes himself as a fullback, and the minor point that Ireland’s premier 15 currently occupies the position, would be to stick the 27-year-old at the back. There is no denying, however, that should Barrett be required as injury cover, or simply chosen ahead of Keenan, that he would provide a very comprehensive cover.
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