Beauden Barrett

Beauden Barrett and Kieran Read to clash in Japan's Top League feature match

Both are unbeaten so far, with Barrett and his colleagues effortlessly dealing with a disappointing Toshiba to jump ahead of Read’s Toyota Verblitz, and Ryan Crotty’s Kubota Spears, by a point at the top of the standings in the competition’s red conference.

Despite fielding All Blacks Matt Todd and Seta Tamanivalu, alongside the one-game Crusader Jack Stratton, and Japanese national captain Michael Leitch, Toshiba were totally overwhelmed by Suntory, who underlined their superiority by running in nine tries.

Covid hits former All Blacks' Japanese clubs

The Japanese Rugby Football Union have confirmed 44 players and staff tested have positive for the virus, including 13 at Toyota Verblitz, seven at Suntory Sungoliath and 24 at Canon Eagles, forcing the cancellation of their opening matches of the 2021 season.

Toyota captain Read had been due to face compatriot Barrett in his debut for Suntory, while Ricoh Black Rams were to play Canon Eagles.

The teams have not released the names of those who have tested positive.

Under league policy, the matches will not be played at a later date and will be registered as draws.

Beauden Barrett still wants All Black No.10 jersey as he starts Japan sabbatical

Speaking at a media conference in Japan on Wednesday, Barrett said he aims to remind New Zealand coach Ian Foster of his ability to run the game at first-five after playing mostly as fullback for the national side in recent times.

Barrett has joined the Suntory Sungoliath team in Tokyo to contest the 2021 Top League season, which begins next week, as part of a sabbatical overseas granted in his contract with NZ Rugby.

Beauden Barrett reveals focus as preparation for Top League season begins

The All Blacks star is playing for the franchise in the 2021 Japanese Top League, during a sabbatical which is included in his four year deal with New Zealand Rugby through to the end of 2023.

Barrett’s move north comes immediately after his time in Australia with the All Blacks for the revamped Rugby Championship. Just days after New Zealand’s final test against Argentina, Barrett flew to Japan.

Canterbury bring Richie Mo'unga in for Ranfurly Shield head-to-head with Beauden Barrett

Mounga and Drummond both came on in the second half in Canterbury’s 43-29 win over North Harbour in Albany, while Saturday’s game will be Christie and Jager’s first in Canterbury colours for 2020.

Isaiah Punivai, has also been rewarded with a start in the number 13 jersey following his Man of the Match performance in Albany, replacing Dallas McLeod who is unavailable due to a toe injury.

We were really impressed with Isaiah on Friday, he came on and performed extremely well, so deservedly gets another opportunity,” Thorne added.

Bay of Plenty Steamers sign Blues first five

The 25-year-old is having a steller Super Rugby Aotearoa season with the Blues and despite the fact he is competing with a current and a former All Blacks first-five; Beauden Barrett and Daniel Carter, Black’s form has justifiably kept him in the starting 15.

Black says becoming a first-time dad and getting to be near his whanau was a major reason for signing with the Bay.

Beauden Barrett to Japan, but will still play for All Blacks

Britain's Daily Mail is reporting that Barrett will move to Japan in December after signing a two-season, $3 million contract with the Suntory club.

The report says the 29-year-old will not be available for the All Blacks in 2021 and 2022, with New Zealand Rugby agreeing to the deal to help it overcome the economic hit from Covid-19.

However RNZ understands Barrett will only miss next year's Super Rugby season, and not any international rugby.

It is understood any deal that has been reached has been negotiated between the Blues and Suntory, not New Zealand Rugby.

Barrett at the back for the Blues

Blues coach Leon MacDonald said selecting his side for the opening game of Super Rugby Aotearoa against the Hurricanes was the hardest selection decision he had made in his time with the Blues.

Otere Black retains the first five-eigth spot after impressing MacDonald earlier in the season.

"His form was outstanding pre-lockdown and he's come back out of lockdown in even better nick and he's trained really well," MacDonald said.

All eyes on Beauden Barrett this weekend

As well as being his debut for the Blues, Sunday's match in Auckland would be his first against his former club.

Of everything Barrett pondered during the Covid-19 lockdown, it was a moment which occupied more of his time than most.

Speaking to media on Tuesday, he said he knew the game would be a unique experience.

"There's a lot of familiar faces in that team that I know very well.

"It's a game that I've played a few times in my head already and at the moment I'm just enjoying each day.

Beauden Barrett still the fastest 'bronco' around

Barrett posted a time of 4min 12 seconds at Blues training earlier this week taking eight seconds off his previous best for the 1.2km shuttle run, which is completed in five sets of 20m, 40m and 60m distances.

It's a fitness test all the Super Rugby use and yesterday it was the Chiefs turn with Damien McKenzie expected to go close to Barrett's record but Chiefs assistant coach Tabai Matson says while McKenzie has "jet shoes" he didn't pip Barrett.

"He was close to a PB (personal best time) so that's a big thing but there were no world records broken.