RECORD PLAYER

BEAUDEN BARRETT has put together a compelling body of work over 14 years, so it's natural that records will fall

- CAMPBELL BURNES/NZ RUGBY NEWS

EAUDEN BARRETT is no Sir Richard Hadlee. By that I mean the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year doesn't keep close tabs on his numbers and milestones as did the great cricketing knight.

Having just turned 34 and with 14 years of New Zealand first-class rugby under his belt, not to mention two sabbaticals in Japan, Barrett's longevity, ability to stay on the park and avoid injury, plus his kicking and running skills, mean he looms large in the try- and point-scoring lists at first-class, Super Rugby and Test levels.

He recently reposted on Instagram an All Blacks post that highlighted the fact that he's the second man, after Carlos Spencer, to score 100 tries, 100 conversions and 100 penalty goals in New Zealand first-class rugby. That came back in April with his brilliant chip and regather to score his 100th at Eden Park for the Blues against Moana Pasifika.

"It's not something I knew too much about until people highlighted it or made note. But I was pretty proud of that," says Barrett.

At his peak, Barrett was the fastest No 10 of all time. He was the 2016 Kel Tremain Memorial Trophy winner as the best player in the land. He continues to offer full value and wields huge influence for the Blues and, still, the All Blacks.

Barrett has resigned with NZ Rugby and the Blues until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. If he doesn't exercise his right to another sabbatical, more records will surely tumble.

"On the 100 tries, look, it's one of the byproducts of playing rugby with an attacking mindset. I always try to take the field with a positive mentality and look to express my skills. When I play well, that's what you see," he says.