Since returning from a shoulder injury, Barrett has helped guide his side to three straight victories in Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa.
It’s been four years and five attempts since the Hurricanes last defeated the Crusaders in Christchurch. Their last victory was on July 16 in 2016. That was also the last time the Crusaders lost at home. Since that defeat, the Crusaders have gone undefeated for 36 games at home and won three straight titles.
So where was the youngest Barrett in 2016? The last time the Hurricanes won in the garden city.
Having finished up at New Plymouth’s Francis Douglas Memorial College, Barrett moved down south to Lincoln University in Christchurch to study commerce. He played for the New Zealand Under 20s at the World Cup in England in June 2016, and then linked up with Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup.
After just one season of provincial rugby, in which he was named Mitre 10 Cup player of the year, Barrett toured as an apprentice with the All Blacks to the Northern Hemisphere in 2016. He then made his Hurricanes debut in 2017.
So, Barrett, along with many of his Hurricanes teammates will be looking to taste success against the Crusaders in Christchurch for the first time when they face off at Orangetheory Stadium on Saturday night.
The likes of TJ Perenara, Dane Coles, Ardie Savea and Ben May all played in that game in 2016, so Barrett will be able to gain some valuable insight from them, as well as his brother Beauden, who also played in that win.
The Hurricanes take on the Crusaders on Saturday night at 7:05pm at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch. Get your tickets HERE.