Barrell bounces back up north

By CHRIS RATTUE

* Otago v Northland

Con Barrell does not have to look far to understand the joys of still being able to pull on a rugby jersey, and go to battle in the front row.

The former All Blacks prop has returned to his roots, and will line up for Northland on loan from Canterbury this season - starting with the match against Otago in Dunedin this evening.

Barrell is hoping that, at the tender age of 35 and having come back from a knee reconstruction, his NPC form will be enough to win him a contract overseas or even another crack at the Super 12.

Barrell may well be more grateful than most in contemplating playing into his late 30s.

His younger brother Jason's career as a representative prop ended at the age of 29 three years ago because of a neck injury he suffered while playing for Auckland against Northland. Doctors told Jason Barrell he was fortunate to survive the injury.

And life hasn't got easier for the former Blues and Chiefs frontrower.

About four months ago, a blood clot problem left Jason's face partially paralysed.

Con Barrell swiftly returned to Whangarei from Christchurch, and was at his brother's side when Jason went into hospital for an operation.

"It was caused by some bleeding in the brain. It was an absolute shock to us all," said Con Barrell.

"It was only a couple of years ago he was a fit young bloke running around the rugby field.

"He has had some terrible luck.

"He is facing a battle, but every day he gets stronger. It makes you appreciate what you have got."

Returning to Whangarei has re-united Barrell with his family, although there was heartache, too.

He headed north with his fiancee, Kate, and their son Cleve, aged five, but his two daughters live with their mother in Christchurch.

"It made leaving very hard."

Barrell has already turned out for Canterbury this year, making his comeback from the knee operation at Jade Stadium against Ranfurly Shield challengers East Coast.

But Barrell had spoken to Canterbury coach Aussie McLean about his prospects, and realised that his hope of getting decent game time lay elsewhere, even though All Black prop Greg Feek is out for the season.

So what better place to head to than Northland, who Barrell played his 77th and last game for in 1995.

Barrell had left Northland for Canterbury after doing some Super 12 homework and figuring that was where his best prospects lay.

Canterbury had the propping cousins Richard and Stu Loe at the time, but Richard was at the end of his career, and Barrell believed the Canterbury/Crusaders setup was right for him.

So it proved to be. He was on the ground floor with a franchise that has proven to be the best in the business, after a horrible first year when they finished last in the Super 12.

Barrell went on to make John Hart's All Blacks sides in 1996 and 1997 when he played in four non-test matches in South Africa and Britain.

Barrell will renew acquaintances with Northland coach Bryce Woodward, who was in charge of the champion Kamo side Barrell played for before heading south.

There are doubts about the fitness of Northland tighthead prop Tim Knight and, apart from Barrell's playing ability, Woodward knows he can also impart vital knowledge to youngsters such as the raw but promising Bronson Murray.

Barrell says an attraction in returning to Northland from Canterbury is the sides' similarity, though they are worlds apart in resources.

"In many ways they are very similar. The Canterbury teams have tremendous spirit and we were all great mates there. We'd do things like go round to each other's houses to help out with jobs.

"That really showed through. How many times do you see Canterbury win games in the final minutes?

"We were out there fighting for our team and our mates. Northland have a very similar attitude."

Barrell, back in Whangarei since Wednesday, has been schooling up on the Northland moves and calls.

He is due to return to Christchurch, when Northland play a Ranfurly Shield challenge in a month's time. But, although he played in 65 games for the province - and was in three Super 12 winning sides - Barrell is hoping the Red and Blacks don't recall him, preferring to see the season out in Whangarei.