[WATCH] Jordie Barrett: New Zealand rugby misses Mzansi
|Published
Sad: Jordie Barrett. Picture: supplied
New Zealand’s rugby players are missing their South African counter- parts big time.
Just ask All Blacks ace Jordie Barrett, who played in his 100th match for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby last weekend.
Barrett, though, says this tournament just isn’t the same without South African teams, who left the southern showpiece and joined the United Rugby Championship in the UK and Europe in 2021.
When you run into your mates overseas 😍
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) March 5, 2024
📸 via IG / ardiesavea#AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/MO1W5M6Sxh
Of the impact that move had on Kiwi rugby, Barrett, 27, says: “To be able to go to South Africa and play against the SAs sides on a two or three week tour, they were the best times of your life almost, and we miss going to SA, for sure.
“You play them at Johannesburg or any of those formidable South African stadiums, and you’ve got a challenge of big physical forward packs.
On today's episode of the Front Row Daily Show we're sideline with the All Blacks coaches and in the sheds with Samisoni Taukei'aho & Jordie Barrett!
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) March 3, 2024
Watch the full episode here ➡️ https://t.co/7X9DFVoi6y#NZRplus #AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/bOvI60rWga
“In some ways, you can learn lessons as a young kid before you make it to Test level that you can apply when you land a spot.
“You do miss a lot of growth and learning at that age and I’m grateful I got a taste of that before we lost them.”
Barrett was sent off in his 100th clash against the Reds on Sunday for a high tackle on Wallaby Jordan Petaia.