Jordie Barrett is pumped to play against his brother Beauden.
Super Rugby Aoetearoa brings a New Zealand flavour for the return of rugby from the coronavirus pandemic and a family feel for the Barretts.
Former team mates at the Hurricanes, they will now oppose each other in the opening round when Jordie, still with the Canes, takes on Beauden who is sure to make his debut for the Blues in the June 14 clash at Eden Park.
“When I looked to the schedule and saw we had the Blues up there first game, I guess you couldn’t have set the scene any better,” Jordie told The Breakdown on Sky TV.
There’s even the prospect of Jordie playing against the other brother in the star trio, Scott, when the Hurricanes take on the champion Crusaders the following week.
There will be increased pressure on Jordie to help the leadership of the Hurricanes and the direction of their game in the absence of double world player of the year Beauden who has led their backline for so long.
The versatile Jordie is up for it: “For me it’s bigger picture. I look at my game and I always think I’m taking a lot of learnings each and every time I play.
“I’m always going to be learning but trying to use experiences in the past to make me a better footy player and play in those different positions.
“Grow in my game to be a leader in the Hurricanes group and try and drive us around the park and have a lot more influence on our results.”
The Blues had the bragging rights when the two teams met in the original 2020 Super Rugby championship before it was halted by the global health crisis, winning 24-15 and doing that without the services of star recruit Beauden who was still enjoying a lengthy break following the Rugby World Cup.
Now it’s all on again and Jordie can’t wait. After being forced to train alone in isolation for so long, he says it has been fantastic to be back in a team environment with games and a championship to focus on.
“It’s been a really good week to come back into training. There’s a good buzz in the group and everyone’s excited. I guess we’re grateful to be in a position where we can get back and train and compete again,” he told The Breakdown.
