Beauden Barrett has spoken out about vulnerability in rugby. Photo / Getty
Beauden Barrett has spoken out about vulnerability in rugby. Photo / Getty
Beauden Barrett has spoken of his frustrations during his team's win over the Stormers, which, combined with the Crusaders' loss to the Waratahs, has put them level on points with the defending champions.
The Hurricanes were heavily favoured to beat the South Africans in Wellington but the Stormers created problemsthroughout and All Blacks first-five Barrett told Newstalk ZB's Martin Devlin that he wasn't particularly happy with this game.
"A few frustrations crept in but we also expected it," he said. "We just really wanted to play our brand of footy and run those big boys around a bit.
"I'm certainly not satisfied with my game but I know that I've just got to keep working hard to contribute were I can for the team and I'm happy if we're just slowly chipping away and making progress in our game. I know we're not too far away from clicking and it all coming together."
The 34-28 victory was the Hurricanes' third by less than seven points and while they are sitting pretty in second in the New Zealand conference, most indicators suggested the clash shouldn't have been as nervy as it was.
Their next challenge is a home match against the Crusaders, who saw their undefeated streak halted at 19 matches in Sydney.
Beauden Barrett in action during the round six Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Stormers. Photo / Getty
Speaking after a round in New Zealand which focused attention on the mental wellbeing of the players – an initiative thought of far before the death of 50 Muslims in Christchurch and now more important than ever – Barrett said the opening up to each other was crucial.
"Us rugby boys, we're just normal men," Barrett said. "I think we're getting a lot better in New Zealand about opening up and talking about how we're feeling but I guess the biggest thing I've learned in the last couple of months is just being vulnerable.
"If there's something we need to say or talk about, just put yourself out there."
Barrett said rugby team environments across all levels often shied away from establishing an open platform for conversation but said he wanted to help change that.
"It can be hard in a team environment amongst big men to be vulnerable and put yourself out there and let everyone know how you're feeling," Barrett said.
"Typically we're really good at faking it and hiding things and covering it up so if you can just break down those walls and encourage it and if your heroes are doing it then it's going to make it a lot easier for you to do it as a kid or even as an elderly man or woman.
"I think it's important that we lead the charge were we can and give other people the opportunity to see that and do it themselves."
