Will Richie Mo’unga’s running game or Beauden Barrett’s all-round wizardry be the difference in the all-New Zealand semi-final? JON CARDINELLI analyses a key match-up.

Barrett and Mo’unga should travel to the World Cup as the All Blacks’ first- and second-choice flyhalf options. The former has been the outstanding Test No 10 over the past four years – with only Johnny Sexton performing better in 2018 – while the latter has been the best flyhalf in Vodacom Super Rugby over the same period.

Barrett guided the Hurricanes to their first Super Rugby title in 2016. Since then, Mo’unga has spearheaded a dominant Crusaders outfit that has gone on to capture the 2017 and 2018 titles.

The 2019 Super Rugby stats make for interesting reading. Mo’unga (14 games) has been on fire across the attacking categories. Barrett, who has been managed more carefully due to All Blacks resting protocols, has featured in 11 matches and made some important yet often less flashy contributions.

ATTACK

	PTS	T	TA	POSS	R	RM	PASS	LB	LBA	OFF
RM	148	6	9	399	98	857	219	10	10	14
BB	112	3	7	417	65	595	233	2	15	10

The table above highlights Mo’unga’s attacking brilliance. The Crusaders flyhalf has proved a dangerous ball-carrier and distributor.

This is highlighted by the tries scored and try assists columns, as well as the linebreaks and linebreak assists stats. The Hurricanes would do well to keep an eye on Mo’unga in the Vodacom Super Rugby semi-final this Saturday, as the No 10 has the ability to break the line as many times as he puts teammates through a gap.

What’s interesting, however, is that Barrett has made an impression on the stats even though he has played three fewer matches than Mo’unga. He may not have made as many linebreaks himself, but the numbers above show how he has created more opportunities overall.

The Crusaders play a different game to the Hurricanes. The former side prefers to keep the ball in hand. The latter team mixes it up, and often utilises a strong kicking game to gain ground and create try-scoring chances.

Barrett (417) has got the ball in hand at first receiver more than Mo’unga (399) this season, even though he’s played three fewer matches. He’s passed more, and the Hurricanes backs, Ngani Laumape in particular, have scored some breathtaking tries.

As the table below indicates, Barrett has kicked from hand more often than his Crusaders counterpart. In fact, Barrett is ranked third in the 2019 tournament for kicks from hand, and first for kick metres.

So much for the myth that New Zealanders don’t kick.

DEFENCE AND KICKING

	TACKLE %	MT	K	KM
MO’UNGA	65	26	77	2305
BARRETT	71	19	116	3841

Both Barrett and Mo’unga have utilised the kick-pass to create try-scoring chances. It will be interesting to see if there is an opportunity to do so this Saturday, as both sets of defence should be expecting it.

How both go on defence could be game shaping. Much will depend on how the respective packs fare, and whether Mo’unga or Barrett has the benefit of front-foot ball. If the Crusaders somehow lose the forward battle, backs like Mo’unga could be in trouble.

The Crusaders No 10 is not the strongest defender, as his tackle success rate of 65% indicates. That said, the All Blacks incumbent hasn’t been great in this department either (71%), and that weakness may be exploited if the Hurricanes are forced on to the back foot.

How will these players, and indeed the respective teams, adjust for this semi-final? The game should be tighter, and tactics may change with a lot more at stake.

If it comes down to goal-kicking, which of these players will hold his nerve to slot a winner? Beauden Barrett has been kicking at 79% this season, while his brother Jordie has completed 69% of his attempts on goal.

The Crusaders haven’t had to worry about goal-kicking up until now. They may need Mo’unga to improve on his 73% success rate, however, if they are to down the Hurricanes and advance to yet another final.

Crusaders – 15 David Havili, 14  Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 George Bower, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor.

Hurricanes – 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Salesi Rayasi, 13 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 James Blackwell,  3  Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (c), 1 Toby Smith.
Subs: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Ben May, 19 Kane Le’aupepe, 20 Vaea Fifita, 21 Richard Judd, 22 James Marshall, 23 Jonah Lowe.

Photos: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images