Beauden Barrett responds to boos at his old home ground
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Blues and All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett was less than impressed with the welcome he received from his former hometown fans when the Blues visited the Hurricanes last week in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
The All Blacks star hit out at the behaviour of Wellington faithful after the way he was received by the crowd in his return to the home of the Hurricanes. Barrett made his first appearance last Saturday at Sky Stadium since his move to Auckland after nine seasons with the Hurricanes.
Barrett led the Hurricanes to their first Super Rugby title in 2016 but was booed every time he touched the ball in the 29-27 loss to his former employers.
"It makes you wonder doesn't it? How much you can do for a franchise and then be received like that," Barrett told Newstalk ZB.
"I give them the benefit of the doubt, it could have been booing with a smile on their face at the same time; but I see it as booing nonetheless."
The 29-year-old added that while he was disappointed at the Hurricanes' fans reactions, he was generally uncomfortable with all booing at rugby games.
With All Black fans being particularly vocal in booing at overseas sides in the past - particularly from trans-Tasman neighbours Australia.
Barret said he thought it was time the practice stopped.
“I think it’s pretty poor to be fair, I’ve never been a fan of it… when we’ve had Australian teams play in New Zealand at recent times, whenever that’s happened I just cringe.
“There’s no place for that in rugby in New Zealand”
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