Beauden Barrett's display against the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday has left the rugby world purring, as the first-five almost single handedly steered the All Blacks to a 40-12 win over Australia.
In a truly frightening display of individual brilliance, Barrett scored four tries, coming away with 30 points, while also having another try disallowed as the All Blacks locked the Bledisloe Cup away for another year.
Despite calls for Barrett to be dropped in favour of Crusaders star Richie Mo'unga, Saturday's performance has left foreign media in awe of the reigning World Player of the Year's brilliance.
Writing for the Rugby Paper, Brendan Gallagher didn't hold back in his praise for Barrett, saying:
"Beauden Barrett confirmed himself as the world's best rugby player with an extraordinary four tries and a 30 points haul as New Zealand took Australia to the cleaners for the second week on the bounce."
He may have scored 30 points in the All Blacks’ Bledisloe Cup demolition of the Wallabies, but Beauden Barrett is not the finished article according to his coach. (Source: Other)
"It was the most eye-popping display by a Test flyhalf since Dan Carter – the man Barrett understudied for a long while – put the Lions to the sword at Wellington in 2005."
Australian writer David Lord agreed with the Carter comparisons , saying:
The young first-five could be a starter against Argentina in Nelson. (Source: Other)
"Beauden Barrett took over as conductor of the All Black orchestra with such ease that there are many who rate him even better than the maestro."
Former Springboks coach Nick Mallett was also among those in the chorus of Barrett appreciators.
“If you think about the All Blacks and the brand, it’s important that we represent New Zealand really well, and she leads our country.” (Source: Other)
"In the second half, it seemed as though it was just wave after wave of good decisions, accurate passing, intelligent running, good support play and distribution of players.
"To think that people were saying Mo'unga should have played. That was just to get him to up his game from a New Zealand perspective. He was absolutely sensational."
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