An anonymous poll conducted among current New Zealand Vodacom Super Rugby players has revealed the majority believe Beauden Barrett is the best player in the country.
A 40-question survey conducted by NZME’s Sam Casey has offered insight into opinions held by New Zealand’s Super Rugby players about the state of the game nationwide.
Over 100 players from the five Kiwi Super Rugby franchises, including at least 15 players from each team, took part in the survey, with the release of initial results on Monday causing a stir following the revelation that 48% of the poll’s participants disagreed with New Zealand Rugby’s decision to promote Foster from assistant coach to head coach of the All Blacks.
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Another big talking point was that Australian Angus Gardner was picked as the best referee in Super Rugby, receiving 47% players votes. With 48% of the votes, recently retired New Zealand referee Glen Jackson was outed as the worst official.
Beauden Barrett was voted the best player in the country as well as the best flyhalf, while Anton Lienert-Brown (66%), George Bridge (46%) and Damian McKenzie (47%) were voted for as New Zealand’s top centre, wing and fullback, respectively.
Meanwhile, new All Blacks captain Sam Cane was voted as the most respected player in NZ rugby.
Here is a full list of the poll results released so far:
Do you think NZR got it right with the new All Blacks coaching team?
No: 46%
Yes: 28%
Not assistants: 26%
Who is the best player in NZ rugby?
Beauden Barrett: 40%
Ardie Savea: 20%
Brodie Retallick: 12%
Eight others: 28%
Who is the best player 23 years of age or under in NZ rugby?
Jordie Barrett: 33%
Will Jordan: 22%
Luke Jacobson: 14%
Sevu Reece: 14%
Six others: 17%
Who is the best first five in NZ rugby?
Beauden Barrett: 58%
Richie Mo’unga: 32%
Aaron Cruden: 9%
One other: 1%
Who is the best winger in NZ rugby?
George Bridge: 46%
Sevu Reece: 21%
Rieko Ioane: 13%
Ben Lam: 11%
Four others: 9%
Who is the best midfielder in NZ rugby?
Anton Lienert-Brown: 66%
Jack Goodhue: 21%
Ngani Laumape: 11%
Two others: 3%
Who is the best fullback in NZ rugby?
Damian McKenzie: 47%
Jordie Barrett: 25%
David Havili: 18%
Beauden Barrett: 10%
Two minutes to go, down 4, need to score a try. Whose hands do you want the ball in?
Damian McKenzie: 30%
Beauden Barrett: 24%
Richie Mo’unga: 10%
17 others: 46%
Who will be the next breakout star and make the All Blacks?
Cullen Grace: 17%
Hoskins Sotutu: 14%
Mark Telea: 12%
27 others: 53%
Who is the best professional coach you’ve had?
Tony Brown: 17%
Scott Robertson: 16%
Dave Rennie: 9%
Warren Gatland: 9%
Jason Holland: 9%
16 others: 40%
Who is the most respected player in NZ rugby?
Sam Cane: 24%
Brodie Retallick: 17%
Dane Coles: 11%
Ardie Savea: 10%
10 others: 38%
Who is the biggest grub in the NZ game?
Dane Coles: 44%
Brodie Retallick: 15%
Jordie Barrett: 10%
Seven others: 32%
What player 25 years or under do you think will play 100 tests?
Anton Lienert-Brown: 40%
Jack Goodhue: 15%
Jordie Barrett: 13%
Eight others: 32%
Who is the best referee in Super Rugby?
Angus Gardner: 47%
Ben O’Keefe: 24%
Paul Williams: 22%
Three others: 8%
Who is the worst referee in Super Rugby?
Glen Jackson: 48%
Mike Fraser: 29%
Rasta Rasivhenge: 9%
Four others: 14%
What is the best ground to play at in NZ?
Forsyth Barr Stadium (Dunedin): 61%
FMG Stadium Waikato (Hamilton): 18%
Eden Park (Auckland): 8%
Five others: 13%
What is the worst ground to play at in NZ?
Central Energy Trust Arena (Palmerston North): 22%
Orangetheory Stadium (Christchurch): 20%
Sky Stadium (Wellington): 18%
Rugby Park (Invercargill): 15%
Four others: 25%
What player from another franchise would you sign at yours?
Scott Barrett: 28%
Beauden Barrett: 14%
Brodie Retallick: 10%
Ardie Savea: 10%
17 others: 38%
Who is the toughest player in NZ rugby?
Sam Cane: 44%
Brodie Retallick: 18%
Ardie Savea: 7%
11 others: 30%
Who is the hardest player to tackle in NZ rugby?
Ngani Laumape: 37%
Sevu Reece: 17%
Mark Telea: 9%
Ardie Savea: 9%
10 others: 28%
Photo: Jeremy Ward/www.photosport.nz
