Beauden Barrett still "learning" his role with Vern Cotter’s Blues

As an All Black heading into his 15th season of top-level rugby, there would seem little left to learn for Beauden Barrett.

But the 33-year-old admits there have been a few things to get his head around while adjusting to life with Vern Cotter’s Blues.

Barrett will make his first appearance under the coach when the defending champions host the Chiefs on Saturday night, having watched from afar as Cotter last year made an instant impact in his return to New Zealand rugby.

As the playmaker prepares for his own return to Super Rugby Pacific – having spent last season playing in Japan’s Rugby League One for Toyota Verblitz – time on the practice field has been imperative.

Cotter’s style of play was certainly effective for the Blues, who ended a dominant campaign by thumping the Chiefs in the final. But it has also left Barrett with a bit of catching up to do.

“There’s a fair amount of intrigue under Vern and the style of rugby that he brings and the way that the Blues played last year,” Barrett said. “It’s going to be interesting and something I’m looking forward to.

“It’s learning about the difference in the style of play, getting my head around the change from what we’re typically used to in New Zealand. Vern’s a clever man and has brought something different, which has really suited the personnel that we have at the Blues.

“So I’ll contribute in ways that I can, but at the moment it’s more eyes and ears.”

Cotter’s direct style comes with a clear influence from his stints playing and coaching in France, following a long spell in charge of Clermont Auvergne with four years at the helm of Scotland before heading back over the Channel to Montpellier.

But amid the focus on physicality and time in possession, Barrett still saw a few avenues in which to make his mark.

“It’s fair to compare it to more of a French style of playing, and with Vern having spent so many years up in France, there’s an element of that,” he said. “But I think you’ll find there’s wingers and midfielders involved in that so-called forward play.

“It’s quite a dynamic way of playing the game. It involves a lot of footwork and the ability to find space in the close-quarter stuff, so it’s a lot more instinctive and it’s all about freeing up space eventually for backs to finish.”

Where exactly Barrett will provide the most impact remains to be seen – he joked he was sick of being asked what position he would play but believed his role would be “primarily at 10″.

Complicating that is a healthy competition for the first-five and fullback spots, with Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer and Zarn Sullivan all in contention.

Having finished last year as the preferred No 10 with the All Blacks, Barrett does seem likely to reduce the minutes of the title-winning Plummer, but the veteran knows each player will provide value over a long season.

“Particularly around the style of rugby that Vern brings, it’s a great opportunity for a lot of us to contribute, and if we’re all fit it’s gonna be great for our depth,” he said. “But ultimately, it’s all about challenging each other to make each other better at training.

“Every single day matters. And enjoying it, because if we enjoy it, we are going to improve and you’ll see the Blues do well.”

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission