Beauden Barrett is the GOAT

[FujiKiwi]

Beauden Barrett is the greatest impact player of all time.

Between 2012 and 2015 he was coming off the bench with twenty minutes to go and winning games for fun.

Nobody has ever matched those three glorious years of impact play. Kyle Sinckler and Courtney Lawes have had stunning cameos. And due respect must go to the Saffer 2019 RWC back up front row who were marvelous. But Beauden is the best we have ever seen or may ever see.

[Enzedder]

Yeah - nah.

Flat track bully. OneNut was all over him,

Carter is the GOAT

[FujiKiwi]

GOAT impact player.

Cruden/Carter never had the impact off the bench Barrett had in his heydey. Not even close. In discussing this aspect of the game, they're not worthy even mentioning.

[Guy Smiley]

He had the benefit of coming off the bench into the GOAT team though.

No one else has ever had excellence prepared, marinated, grilled and served up for them like that either.

[FujiKiwi]

He had the benefit of coming off the bench into the GOAT team though.

No one else has ever had excellence prepared, marinated, grilled and served up for them like that either.

This doesn't make a lot of sense. In any one game there were others on the bench with him. Some did extremely well as impact players. Brad Thorn and Joe Moody spring to mind. But Barrett eclipsed them all.

What you're also overlooking are the times between 2012-2015 when BB would come on and provide the spark of magic that would turn a looming defeat into a victory. It wasn't always an armchair ride.

I doubt you're going to try to diminish McCaw's legacy by pointing out the great players around him. Your post is similarly illogical.

[Jb1981]

He had the benefit of coming off the bench into the GOAT team though.

No one else has ever had excellence prepared, marinated, grilled and served up for them like that either.

This doesn't make a lot of sense. In any one game there were others on the bench with him. Some did extremely well as impact players. Brad Thorn and Joe Moody spring to mind. But Barrett eclipsed them all.

What you're also overlooking are the times between 2012-2015 when BB would come on and provide the spark of magic that would turn a looming defeat into a victory. It wasn't always an armchair ride.

I doubt you're going to try to diminish McCaw's legacy by pointing out the great players around him. Your post is similarly illogical.

Brad Thorn played 59 tests starting 51 of them and Joe Moody has played 46 tests starting 39. I’m not sure you are remembering impact players accurately.

[-RB-]

I certainly can't think of a player that had greater impact off the bench. Scoring the world cup winning try was pretty well up there as that was that runaway in Joburg.

Faptastic.

[Aficionado]

I certainly agree with the premise and have posted as much before, BB offered the most from the bench, that seems clear to me. I thought Cruden was the big loss, wobbly from the tee though that could have been fixed. In his pomp outstanding at 10, knew exactly when to pull the pin. All things relative though as Shanky points out it's easier to play behind a pack that is rarely bettered and having a midfield/back three the quality of that period would have boosted the confidence of any decent 1st/5.
BB can stay in Japan for my money, Will Jordan is the future at f/b (injuries woes aside naturally) he is showing real promise and just 22 yrs old. I see Mo'unga at 10 as a stop-gap quite frankly, hoping the likes of Black will be the real deal. We shall see...

[Monkey Magic]

Bench was a big part on why they were so good. Every other team was flagging, then they went into an extra gear

[FujiKiwi]

He had the benefit of coming off the bench into the GOAT team though.

No one else has ever had excellence prepared, marinated, grilled and served up for them like that either.

This doesn't make a lot of sense. In any one game there were others on the bench with him. Some did extremely well as impact players. Brad Thorn and Joe Moody spring to mind. But Barrett eclipsed them all.

What you're also overlooking are the times between 2012-2015 when BB would come on and provide the spark of magic that would turn a looming defeat into a victory. It wasn't always an armchair ride.

I doubt you're going to try to diminish McCaw's legacy by pointing out the great players around him. Your post is similarly illogical.

Brad Thorn played 59 tests starting 51 of them and Joe Moody has played 46 tests starting 39. I’m not sure you are remembering impact players accurately.

Fair enough. I'm remembering Moody's performance in the 2015 quarterfinal, but I'm not even sure he came off the bench for that one. I really thought Brad Thorn came off the bench more often. My mistake.

[FujiKiwi]

I don't think Barrett will ever be equalled as an impact player, because he was in a unique position in those years, being behind Carter and Cruden (And Smith at Fullback) and still being so good.

Usually such a talented player would have a short tenure as a bench player because their talent would propel them into the starting team.

[Hugo]

I don't think Barrett will ever be equalled as an impact player, because he was in a unique position in those years, being behind Carter and Cruden (And Smith at Fullback) and still being so good.

Usually such a talented player would have a short tenure as a bench player because their talent would propel them into the starting team.

Yeah. A player that talented would normally be a starter. The All Blacks strength in depth allied to his versatility meant that they had the luxury of turning him into a super sub who could cover multiple positions. It's funny how versatility itself can prevent players nailing down a starting place because they provide so much value as a safety net.

[Kiwias]

I certainly can't think of a player that had greater impact off the bench. Scoring the world cup winning try was pretty well up there as that was that runaway in Joburg.

Faptastic.

The ABs had a decent lead already when he scored that try.

[FujiKiwi]

I certainly can't think of a player that had greater impact off the bench. Scoring the world cup winning try was pretty well up there as that was that runaway in Joburg.

Faptastic.

The ABs had a decent lead already when he scored that try.

It’s still representative of the kind of influence he had on games, coming off the bench. Downplay his ability all you want, he was the greatest there ever will be in that role.

[Jb1981]

Ben Smith arguably had the biggest influence on that final play. Barrett’s pace took him past Pocock but only after Smith had gathered the loose ball, beaten several players and had the vision to put the kick in.

That’s not to downplay Barrett as an impact player, just that in that instance, Ben Smith was the catalyst.

[FujiKiwi]

It was a great moment. As has been pointed out it wasn’t necessarily crucial and it was also handed to him somewhat by Ben Smith and the rest of the team as well.

But it’s symbolic of his tenure as a the best super sub ever seen and it was pretty much his last moment in that role.

Any contenders to knock him off that pedestal? I think any real threats would come from South Africa, who have used the bench to perfection, particularly last year.

[-RB-]

I certainly agree with the premise and have posted as much before, BB offered the most from the bench, that seems clear to me. I thought Cruden was the big loss, wobbly from the tee though that could have been fixed. In his pomp outstanding at 10, knew exactly when to pull the pin. All things relative though as Shanky points out it's easier to play behind a pack that is rarely bettered and having a midfield/back three the quality of that period would have boosted the confidence of any decent 1st/5.
BB can stay in Japan for my money, Will Jordan is the future at f/b (injuries woes aside naturally) he is showing real promise and just 22 yrs old. I see Mo'unga at 10 as a stop-gap quite frankly, hoping the likes of Black will be the real deal. We shall see...

Black over Mo? You're having a giraffe

[CrazyIslander]

Do you guys remember the original super sub in SR Ipolito Fenukitau. I think he invented the "impact player".

[Jb1981]

I certainly agree with the premise and have posted as much before, BB offered the most from the bench, that seems clear to me. I thought Cruden was the big loss, wobbly from the tee though that could have been fixed. In his pomp outstanding at 10, knew exactly when to pull the pin. All things relative though as Shanky points out it's easier to play behind a pack that is rarely bettered and having a midfield/back three the quality of that period would have boosted the confidence of any decent 1st/5.
BB can stay in Japan for my money, Will Jordan is the future at f/b (injuries woes aside naturally) he is showing real promise and just 22 yrs old. I see Mo'unga at 10 as a stop-gap quite frankly, hoping the likes of Black will be the real deal. We shall see...

Black over Mo? You're having a giraffe

Surely trolling? Barring injury or an Ian Foster brainwave, Mo’unga should be our long term 10.

I would love to see Jordan get a shot at fullback. If Barrett wasn’t able to be picked while overseas, that could have given a great chance to see what he can do at the next level.

[-RB-]

I certainly agree with the premise and have posted as much before, BB offered the most from the bench, that seems clear to me. I thought Cruden was the big loss, wobbly from the tee though that could have been fixed. In his pomp outstanding at 10, knew exactly when to pull the pin. All things relative though as Shanky points out it's easier to play behind a pack that is rarely bettered and having a midfield/back three the quality of that period would have boosted the confidence of any decent 1st/5.
BB can stay in Japan for my money, Will Jordan is the future at f/b (injuries woes aside naturally) he is showing real promise and just 22 yrs old. I see Mo'unga at 10 as a stop-gap quite frankly, hoping the likes of Black will be the real deal. We shall see...

Black over Mo? You're having a giraffe

Surely trolling? Barring injury or an Ian Foster brainwave, Mo’unga should be our long term 10.

I would love to see Jordan get a shot at fullback. If Barrett wasn’t able to be picked while overseas, that could have given a great chance to see what he can do at the next level.

Yep. He'll get a crack at some stage anyway surely. That kind of form is irresistible.

Then again it is Foster we're talking about...

[Aficionado]

I certainly agree with the premise and have posted as much before, BB offered the most from the bench, that seems clear to me. I thought Cruden was the big loss, wobbly from the tee though that could have been fixed. In his pomp outstanding at 10, knew exactly when to pull the pin. All things relative though as Shanky points out it's easier to play behind a pack that is rarely bettered and having a midfield/back three the quality of that period would have boosted the confidence of any decent 1st/5.
BB can stay in Japan for my money, Will Jordan is the future at f/b (injuries woes aside naturally) he is showing real promise and just 22 yrs old. I see Mo'unga at 10 as a stop-gap quite frankly, hoping the likes of Black will be the real deal. We shall see...

Black over Mo? You're having a giraffe

"the likes of", it may not be Black. Mo'unga is nothing special ordinary if you like. NZ rugby should be able to come up with someone better than ordinary and there is two or three years to do that.

[Guy Smiley]

Oh yes.

I find these views refreshing. Do you have a newsletter I could subscribe to? I’m looking for an alternative to commercial toilet paper in these troubled times.

[-RB-]

I certainly agree with the premise and have posted as much before, BB offered the most from the bench, that seems clear to me. I thought Cruden was the big loss, wobbly from the tee though that could have been fixed. In his pomp outstanding at 10, knew exactly when to pull the pin. All things relative though as Shanky points out it's easier to play behind a pack that is rarely bettered and having a midfield/back three the quality of that period would have boosted the confidence of any decent 1st/5.
BB can stay in Japan for my money, Will Jordan is the future at f/b (injuries woes aside naturally) he is showing real promise and just 22 yrs old. I see Mo'unga at 10 as a stop-gap quite frankly, hoping the likes of Black will be the real deal. We shall see...

Black over Mo? You're having a giraffe

"the likes of", it may not be Black. Mo'unga is nothing special ordinary if you like. NZ rugby should be able to come up with someone better than ordinary and there is two or three years to do that.

I'm not sure who you are looking at but the Mo I've been watching the last few years is world class. I hope he's our 10 at the next world cup.

[stunt_cunt]

Ben Smith enjoyed the same super sub status before he broke into the starting side. Probably had the same success as BB too.