As well as being his debut for the Blues, Sunday's match in Auckland would be his first against his former club.
Of everything Barrett pondered during the Covid-19 lockdown, it was a moment which occupied more of his time than most.
Speaking to media on Tuesday, he said he knew the game would be a unique experience.
"There's a lot of familiar faces in that team that I know very well.
"It's a game that I've played a few times in my head already and at the moment I'm just enjoying each day.