Rugby: A 14-year return for Barrett in club rugby

Will Johnston

Photo: Spinna Photography.

All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett made a surprise return for Coastal in the CMK premier club rugby competition on Saturday.  

Barrett played in the second half and was a key in his side’s 52-12 win against Inglewood at Okato.

It was the 123-test veteran’s first match for his club in 14 years, last donning on the green jersey in 2010. He was due to play against Southern in April 2020 but Covid-19’s lockdown delayed the start of the competition.

Barrett’s homecoming was his first match in New Zealand this season after returning from a stint at Toyota Verblitz in Japan.

"It's great to be back," Barrett said after the match. "I don't get the chance to play for Coastal a lot but it's great to see club rugby is still strong in Taranaki." 

Rumors were rife before the match whether Barrett would play in week 10 after being the guest speaker at Francis Douglas Memorial College’s new gym fundraiser in New Plymouth on Friday night.  

Coastal kept the selection quiet too, not naming him in the playing 22.

But the rumors were well received by the Coastal faithful as the match drew a large crowd at the Okato Domain.  

Before Barrett’s inclusion in the match, the match was tied up at five-all. Inglewood’s competitive nature was aided by one of the competition’s form players Rhodes Featherston and Rhys Marshall.

But with Barrett’s introduction and the skill of Logan Crowley, Coastal took control as both players had numerous touches leading up to tries. Lock Luka Cassidy and second-five eighth Ben Dufficy also played well.

In a family affair, Barrett played with his cousins Jackson and Kobe Sinclair. 

Southern created an upset beating defending champions New Plymouth Old Boys 45-7 at Vogeltown Park.

The Hawera-based club made the most of Old Boys’ injury woes and scored seven tries to one, including a brace to Walter Cole.

The scoreline was one that Old Boys had inflicted on teams earlier in the season and to be on the receiving end was not something they’re accustomed to.

The win keeps Southern’s top four hopes alive. Meanwhile, Old Boys drop to sixth after three consecutive losses.

Tukapa’s form in the competition form continues to grow with an 18-12 win against Stratford-Eltham at Sanders Park.

The win was Tukapa’s seventh in-a-row and Stratford-Eltham’s second consecutive loss.

Handling errors became a common trend later in the match as the overnight and pre-game rain made the field boggy.

Clifton secured three wins on the bounce with a 34-27 win against Spotswood United at Yarrow Stadium.

Clifton had the slight edge at the break as they led 19-17, but Spotswood United scored after halftime to take the lead.

Late tries by Clifton meant the win propels them into the top fourth.

In the women’s competition, Clifton dispatched Southern 64-12 in the top-of-the-table match and Coastal-Okaiawa beat Tukapa 77-12.

Men’s points: Coastal 29, Tukapa 29, Stratford-Eltham 26, Clifton 23, Southern 19, NPOB 18, Spotswood United 9, Inglewood 8.