Rugby: Move all part of a careful career plan

Beauden Barrett. Photo / Getty Images

When Beauden Barrett turned down the chance to join the Blues last season on a full-time contract in favour of taking a wider-training group position with the Hurricanes, a few people might have scratched their heads.

Considering what has happened during the past year in the capital, some might feel the 20-year-old made the wrong choice. But the rookie pivot doesn't see it that way.

He was able to slowly find his feet at Super 15 level last year as he collected four caps for the franchise his father, Kevin, represented in 1997 and 1998. He also produced a standout campaign for Taranaki in last year's ITM Cup.

It's a path that has been carefully plotted, and included stints with the New Zealand sevens team and last year's world championship-winning under-20 side.

"Part of the reason I chose to go to wider-training group last year was to get a few more NPC games under my belt and slowly build," Barrett said.

"So I felt that, after having a pretty good season with the'Naki, it's helped with my confidence coming into the season with the Canes."

Now, three months short of his 21st birthday, the man who introduces himself as "Beaudy" is charged with running the cutter for one of the most inexperienced Hurricanes teams ever.

The up-and-down Dan Kirkpatrick is also on the roster to provide depth at No 10, and Samoan international five-eighths Tusi Pisi will join the squad once he has finished his playing commitments in Japan.

Barrett is thought to be the favoured option, and considering the pressure the franchise will be under to restore the lost faith to its fans, the weight of the lower North Island is on his shoulders. But it doesn't seem to bother him.

"I love that pressure and it's part of the job. So I'm looking forward to it if I get the chance to start at 10."

Goal-kicking will be an area of scrutiny for Barrett this season, but he showed his prowess - and steely nerve - last year when he banged over an ITM Cup-record nine penalties for Taranaki in a 39-33 defeat of the Bay of Plenty.

"At the moment it's going pretty well," he said. "I've kicked reasonably well in the warm-up games so, hopefully, I'll keep that going."

One reassuring spot for Barrett will be looking over his shoulder to see the reliable Tim Bateman in the No 12 jersey and captain Conrad Smith at centre.

Barrett finds himself in the company of good teachers, but he'll have to learn fast.