Earlier this year "over 100" New Zealand Super Rugby players contributed anonymously to poll questions from a radio host, pertaining to the state of the game. Forty per cent of respondents reportedly nominated Beauden Barrett as this country's best player and 58 per cent said he was our best first five-eighth. Let's be honest here: Richie Mo'unga has fashioned a formidable Super Rugby resume but his All Blacks' performances have only really been adequate. By being choosy about how much Super Rugby he's prepared to play, the 29-year-old has given others the opportunity to shine in his absence. When Barrett was World Rugby player of the year in 2016 and 2017 you'd have suggested the best was still to come.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 23, 2020 19:15 UTC