Prior to Barrett Taranaki were languishing around teams now playing in the Championship. Since Barrett we've held the Shield for a time and came close to beating Canterbury in the semi-finals of the Premiership. The last time I remember Taranaki looking that good a team was when we had Brock James at the helm, another good first five for us during his stay. It's been a couple of years since I spray painted white overalls green, put a bucket on my head and shouted 'TURBOOOSSS' for eighty minutes, but I just don't recall Cruden having as immediate an impact as Barrett. I can't deny Cruden has been exceptional this year, and was the same for Manawatu last year, I was in agreement with many that he should have been ahead of Slade in the WC, but that's not the comparison I'm trying to make.
No doubt Cruden has become a much better player, but it's certainly taken him a couple of years to live up to the hype. Even during his first couple of seasons with Manawatu he was a bit of a mixed bag, especially with his goal kicking. Against Argentina in Wellington the All Blacks needed a first five to pull the strings with the boot for field position, but it wasn't there. He was by no means shocking, but he admitted himself after the game that he could have done better. Playing for the Hurricanes I wanted him to be successful as anyone, and again, there were moments of brilliance, but just as many moments of frustration. I was gutted and annoyed when he signed with the Chiefs having just started to show that promise and I do wonder if the 'Canes would have done better or worse with him this year, but that's all relative. You could just as easily ask would Barrett have done as well with Weepu inside him and Nonu outside him, or would he have shirked the workload and let them take the limelight?
The difference I am trying to point out is that Barrett has looked more assured in the early stages of his career than Cruden did. There will always be room for improvement (which is the same still for Cruden), but Barrett already has the whole set of skills required for a first five, as well as raw talent. In my opinion, Cruden had the raw talent but has worked hard (and succeeded in) applying more structure to his game, no doubt helped by being in the All Black environment. In theory, Barrett should surpass Cruden in the near future if given the same treatment. Of course, I can't say that he will; maybe he's already reached his potential, but as he's only twenty-one, I doubt it.
I'm not even going to deny the bias of these opinions as a Taranaki and Hurricanes fan. Just know that I supported Cruden as a Turbo and a 'Cane, too.
