Backing Barritt
24 Apr 2008
Sharks centre Brad Barritt’s true value will only be realised in his absence.
Despite being pencilled in to face the Waratahs on Saturday, reports suggest that Barritt is unlikely to pass a late fitness test. His critics view this as a blessing in disguise.
Those detractors, in their rhetoric, have tried to convince themselves and others that Barritt is an average player and is surplus to requirements at the Sharks.
They base their views on the fact that one very seldom sees his impact in the same way you would see positive contributions from Frans Steyn, Ryan Kankowski or Keegan Daniel, for example. These are men who are always at the forefront whatever is visibly good about a Sharks performance, whether that be with scything linebreaks, superb ball carries or colossal work at the breakdown.
The flaw in the Barritt argument, however, is that a team of Steyn, Kankowski, or Daniel clones would be one who would lose far more than they’d win given the inconsistent nature of most prodigies. We are quick to praise the visible, but often fail to acknowledge those who make invaluable contributions that are unseen.
In a recent interview with former Bulls head coach Heyneke Meyer, keo.co.za asked about the value of a player like Barritt.
“Those sorts of players are absolutely crucial to any team,” Meyer said. “Barritt has never set the world alight but he is their heartbeat and just never has a bad game.
“I suppose if you’re looking for a player to do something really special for you in matches he won’t be where your thoughts go to first. That said, it’s imperative that you have players that you know will never let you down, the type of guys who are composed no matter how much pressure you are under, and Barritt’s like that.
“I really respect his ability and the role he plays for the Sharks. They build their backline play around him and you’ll notice his absence immediately if he is not there.”
Barritt was substituted in the 52nd minute of the match against the Brumbies. His loss had a patent effect, with the Sharks conceding 17 of the 27 points they did, and losing much of the attacking and defensive structure that made the first 40 minutes arguably the best they’ve had in the tournament.
For the last two seasons Barritt has made all the defensive and attacking calls in the backline. Even when Springbok flyhalf Butch James was with the Sharks, Barritt called the shots, and James was happy to defer, accepting that Barritt has one of the best rugby brains in South Africa and superb vision to complement that intelligence.
“He is absolutely crucial to our cause, losing him would be a massive blow,” Sharks backline coach Grant Bashford said. This explains why they continue to hold onto the hope that he’ll recover in time for the Waratahs.
“From an organisational and structural point of view he is irreplaceable. Brad has come in for a lot of criticism but I think that shows a poor understanding of the game by those critics. All the best teams in world sport have or had players who’ve operated in the shadows, which allow those around them to shine. For us that’s Brad.”
As South Africans our fascination with prodigies is perplexing. We want a 15 Steyns or Ruan Pienaars and look down at those players who don’t possess the game-breaking ability of those players and their ilk. Out of sight equals average for those critics.
Effective combinations, elite coaches will tell you, is crucial to the success of any side. Flyhalf Frederic Michalak excelled in the first half of the Canberra clash and praise for the Frenchman was widespread. Yet nobody acknowledged Barritt’s role in performance. Michalak disappeared in the second half. No coincidence here that Barritt was on the sideline for the vast majority of that time.
With players like Michalak, Ruan Pienaar, Waylon Murray, JP Pietersen and Odwa Ndungane, the Sharks have a plethora of players more that home in the limelight than they are running things backstage. Barritt is the yin to their yang.
Manchester United football legend Sir Bobby Charlton once said: “Great players are those you do the basics right all of the time , not those who do great things some of the time.”
That’s Barritt summed up for you.
By Ryan Vrede
189 Comments
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24 Apr 2008, 09:22 am
#135 PissAnt
how did the sharks make the final last year ,with barrit at 12.no one argues with the fact that steyn can’t tackle.that’s not the problem.he does not have the rugby brain of baritt or jdv or meyer bosman
24 Apr 2008, 09:22 am
Personally I think you guys overrate Steyn too much. Yes, his defence is solid – but he’s yellow card waiting to happen and hardly passes. So how much more potent can he be than Barrit then? Doesn’t help breaking the line and then not offloading
24 Apr 2008, 09:27 am
Pissant 135
I agrre with you on Steyn and his musical chairs act. For me he should be played at 12 and left to fight it out with Brad. He should not be shunted around the team. To sa that he played well outside Butch is giving him more credit then he should get. I think most people know not to attack the chanell that has butch and Fourie. All Steyn had to do was be there and listen.
As to whether he would be marshal on his own I have my doubts.
24 Apr 2008, 09:31 am
#151 st.a.t.w: I think it is a bit silly debating on issues like Barritt was the guy there when they reached the final.
Was he also not the guy there when they lost the final? When they lost the CC semi final last year? When they did not even make the semi’s the year before?
In that same vein, was Steyn not the guy at 12 when we won the World Cup? So how does he not have the ‘rugby brain’ you refer to?
24 Apr 2008, 09:32 am
Man, forget all the bloody emotions. Anybody who gets chills down their spine when they see a rugby player should check their pants to confirm if they do still have male genitalia.
9. Pienaar
10. Michalak
11.JP Pietersen
12.Barrit
13.Murray
14.Ndungane
15. Steyn
Simple as that – play the same backline week in and week out and stop going on emotions. These are rugby players – play to their strengths and quit experiementing
24 Apr 2008, 09:34 am
A backline of dependable rugbybrains who avoid the spotlight and graft in the shadows would look something like:
9. Michael Claasens
10. Morne Steyn
11. Eddie Fredericks
12. Brad Barrit
13. Corne Uys
14. Stephan Terreblanche
15. Johan Roets
24 Apr 2008, 09:37 am
Anycase, I am out till later.
24 Apr 2008, 09:39 am
#154 PissAnt
thy would have won the final but some guy did’nt fancy kicking the ball into touch.do you know who he is .
24 Apr 2008, 09:40 am
#154 PissAnt: Yes Barritt was there in the C.C semi which we last to the Lions but was playing a Flyhalf!
24 Apr 2008, 09:41 am
PA left before he could be corrected. Unlucky GirlShark
24 Apr 2008, 09:46 am
It’s flippen hard to get into this site with all the new kidproof login.
katman, that’s the missionary backline. all the same.
this land is going on holiday for the next possibly three to four weeks.
24 Apr 2008, 09:46 am
#160 Richie_7: Ha just when I thought for once we could correct PA! But I agree with your sentiments at #155 except Ruan is not in form at mo, so prefer Kocky there, and I am not sure I would keep Terreblanche out he is playing outstanding rugby at the moment, also oldy with experience to keep young ones calmer. Steyn has been doing well at 13 But I like Murray so I’ll bow to your better Knowledge there.
24 Apr 2008, 09:51 am
barrit has shown the form he displayed a few years ago, in my opinion, due to the scrum half and fly half pairings, to inconsistent and not providing enough quick quality ball…Michalak in my opinion is a liability when he utilises his french flair, not sure that the coach allows him to ignore the game plan and play his own game at every possibility…?
go barcalona!!! to be honest, the final won’t be as exciting if there are 2 english sides playing. apparantly Abromovitch is bribing everyone he can to ensure he makes it to moscow
24 Apr 2008, 09:51 am
Barritt is definitely out!
24 Apr 2008, 09:55 am
~156 Katman
Yeah and heres one that is full of talent, I mean they are world beaters, best attackers, defenders, they have it all –
9.Vermaak
10.Van Schalkwyk
11.Benjamin
12.Venter
13.Pretorius
14.Noble
15.Ludik
Oh ya, they are also doing a sterling job at propping up the S14 table.
24 Apr 2008, 10:00 am
#165 LD: Uh, you’re missing the point here. I’m not trying to post the kakkest backline. I’m trying to compile a backline of players who are known for being solid yet terrifically unexciting.
24 Apr 2008, 10:05 am
166
You shouldn’t even waste your time on this thread. There are some players that people will never like no matter what they deliver. Barritt is clearly that in your eyes.
He is still a young chap and is coming on nicely as a player, give this anti Barritt campaign of yours a break, mmh?
24 Apr 2008, 10:08 am
#165 LD: LD these guys arnt graffters – they are just plain KAK! – maybe a bit harsh – but what have they done lately, last year, the year before??
24 Apr 2008, 10:11 am
I know gr8ter, was just having a little dig at Katman.
24 Apr 2008, 10:14 am
The SA public is so critical of players, these guys are still kids man, support them, dont keep shunting their minor short comings into the ground the whole time.
Praise their positive attributes, they will gain confidence from this and will surely develop into better players.
The frame work of this article is true, a couple statements do touch on the slightly emotional which is maybe why we have the usual negativos here.
24 Apr 2008, 10:17 am
palu is gonna make michalak and steyn look like idiots
24 Apr 2008, 10:36 am
#167 LD: What’s the point of attacking the Lions back line when this article has nothing to do with it? Do you feel better now?
24 Apr 2008, 10:37 am
#170 LD: I’m confused, please read your post at 165 again…
24 Apr 2008, 10:57 am
poepolstegerber14 comments 2-9
bru, you are a dumbass…
a great 12 puts in the hard work, massive tackles and brutal breaks without copping much shine and most importantly, he makes the nr13 look good… barrit does all this, and more… wake up sister
24 Apr 2008, 11:09 am
#171 st.a.t.w: HA HA HA HA!!! Funniest post this year…
24 Apr 2008, 11:25 am
#171 st.a.t.w: prepare to eat your words come the weekend!
24 Apr 2008, 11:25 am
Have to agree with the article,Barrit has done some outstanding defensive work and i do believe he is going to be missed.The Sharks backline could do with some more down to earth grafters, in my humble opinion i believe Waylon Murray is the weak link in the sharks backline,he needs to run straighter runs to laterally.Sharks by 7.
24 Apr 2008, 11:32 am
#171 st.a.t.w:
Palu? HA? Whatever!
24 Apr 2008, 12:32 pm
#159 GirlShark: You are right, he did play 10.
But did the loss make him a bad player, or just a bad 10 (bad maybe too strong a word but bear with me)?
Similarly, does Steyn’s lack of form so far this year suggest that he is a bad player, or just a bad 13/10 or whatever he played so far this year…?
24 Apr 2008, 13:13 pm
Steyn should be at 15-full stop. Stefen T should be on the bench.
Freddie should have played every game at 10 too.
24 Apr 2008, 13:23 pm
Barrit bossing the backline play ahead of Butch, I think not!
Also would disagree with the assertion that he is not a line-breaker, he actually made quite a few breaks last season running clever lines inside and outside Butch.
The issue this season is – like most of the Sharks backline – on attack at least,he is just hopelessly out of form!
24 Apr 2008, 13:25 pm
The issue with the Sharks backline as opposed to last season = no Campo
24 Apr 2008, 14:00 pm
Is this guy crazy? Who would want 15 Steyn’s? It might work as a comedy routine.
15 Ruan Pienaars would be a great cure for insomnia.
Same for Terblanche, Muller, Smit,…..
24 Apr 2008, 14:18 pm
a couple of soesons ago matt gitua was scrumhalf then one of their coaches played him at 10 and he turned to be great at it was the same with stephen larkcam (i’m not sure about my facts).try and do the same with pienaar he has enough skills and talent to be a great flyhalf
15.steyn
14.ndgane
13.murray
12.barrit
11.jp
10.pienaar
9.kockott
24 Apr 2008, 14:52 pm
#182 – have wondered about the Campese factor. Probably a mix of him and the absence of the senior players.
24 Apr 2008, 14:53 pm
Imagine if Steyn had Habana’s pace – we could put him on the wing and be done with it!
24 Apr 2008, 16:18 pm
Barritt = opposite of Steyn
24 Apr 2008, 16:25 pm
My only concern is that Muir will coach the Bok backline.
Frans Steyn was the best #12 at RWC 2007.
In round 11 he will make his debut at #12 in the S14 for the Sharks.
He must be very confident as a 20 year old.
Barrit might be a good organiser, a clever person etc etc. His choice is a direct result of Muir’s personal opinion.
Barret is no international.
So, sorry Frans Steyn, but you will play all over the place but not at #12.
Both Meyer Bosman and Jean de Viliiers are 90% better than this pure bred Natalian.
26 Apr 2008, 08:40 am
If the sharks want to win they need to use Rory Kockott and Adrian Jacobs second half as an impact players forget about Barret
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