Beuden Barrett

Barrett makes flying start, upstaged by team-mate's five-try haul

Perenara’s second half try proved a pivotal turning point as his NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes rallied from 6-14 down at halftime to beat Keisuke Sawaki 26-24 at the Machida Stadium in Tokyo, completing the escape with a penalty goal in the 81st minute.

Barrett had a more leisurely debut, pulling the strings from his favoured first-five-eighth position for an hour as Suntory Sungoliath ran riot to rout the Greg Cooper-coached Mitsubishi Dynoboars, 75-7.

Billionaires target Beauden Barrett for ambitious French club Beziers

European reports say Beziers also want former All Blacks midfielder Ma'a Nonu and Welsh sharpshooter Dan Biggar.

The club is in the middle of a deal to be bought by wealthy investors from the United Arab Emirates.

Beziers are currently battling in the highly competitive French second division but the once-proud club – they have 11 French titles to their name – are desperate to be a major force in Europe again and are prepared to go on a spending spree to achieve that.

Beauden Barrett sets phenomenal personal best time in fitness drill as Blues resume training

It’s been more than two months since the Auckland franchise played their last match against the Lions at Eden Park on March 14 after Super Rugby was suspended due to international travel restrictions enforced because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The five New Zealand franchises resumed training on Monday, though, and the Blues welcomed their backs to their Alexandra Park base in Epsom to kickstart their pre-season with a fitness test known as the Bronco.

All Blacks shift Beauden Barrett to No 10 for test against Tonga

Richie Mo'unga, who retired with a sore shoulder in the second half of the All Blacks' 36-0 win over the Wallabies on August 17, has not been asked to play against the physical Tongans so close to the World Cup in Japan.

The absence of Mo'unga, who started the previous three tests at first-five, has resulted in the experienced Barrett shifting back to No 10 - where he has spent much of his test career - from fullback.

Beauden Barrett 'still the number one' first-five over Richie Mo'unga, says Dan Carter

Coming off the bench in the second half in Pretoria, Mo'unga proved to be the All Blacks' saviour, slotting a conversion after the final whistle to steal the win after his side had been 30-13 down to the resurgent Springboks.

With Barrett having moved to fullback to accommodate Mo'unga's inclusion, debate has begun to arise as to whether or not the twice reigning World Player of the Year stay in the number 15 jersey, allowing for both stars to play at the same time though.