Rugby: Barrett feeling refreshed ahead of semi

Beauden Barrett is feeling fit and refreshed ahead of his side's semifinal clash. Photo / Getty Images.

Hurricanes first five-eighth Beauden Barrett is feeling fit and refreshed ahead of his side's semifinal clash against the Brumbies in Wellington on Saturday.

Barrett has had limited game-time lately as two injuries kept him from performing for a series of weeks.

The 24-year-old suffered a knee injury, which kept him out for most of last month, and he also missed a match against the Chiefs a fortnight ago due to a calf problem.

Coupled with the Hurricanes' bye last weekend, he will be coming into Saturday's semifinal light on match fitness but the time off has given Barrett the chance to rest and he feels ready to go.

"It's hard to watch from the sidelines," he said. "I'm really excited to get back out there."

Few players in the Hurricanes have experience in the playoffs at Super Rugby level but Barrett embraced the occasion.

"It all starts this week, first week of real pressure, knockout football. So, we can't see that as a burden."

The Hurricanes have not hosted a semifinal at Westpac Stadium since 2006 and it is expected to be a sell-out crowd this weekend.

"We're just going to thrive off that energy," Barrett said.

A number of Hurricanes, including Conrad Smith, Ben Franks, Jeremy Thrush and Ma'a Nonu, will leave the franchise at season's end and they could depart the capital in perfect fashion with a Super Rugby title.

"We do want to give the guys a good send off ... and I'm sure if we play to our potential hopefully we'll get there," Barrett said.

Wing Cory Jane will not be available this week due to a hamstring injury.

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said this put pressure on when it came to team selection but wing Nehe Milner-Skudder (hamstring) was deemed fit to take Jane's place, leaving the fullback position for James Marshall.

"I'm pretty confident with the boys that I've got but it's bad luck for Cory," Boyd said.
This week will be the first time the Hurricanes will meet the Brumbies this year due to the unique format within Super Rugby.

Their previous clash saw the Brumbies beat the Hurricanes 29-21 in round four last season and the Canberra outfit have had the wood on the Hurricanes in years gone by but Boyd wasn't worried about the history.

"Historically, the Brumbies might have beaten the Hurricanes but they haven't beaten this [year's] team."