Barrett is superb in the air - using the skill of catching the ball above his head in AFL fashion - fast and dynamic with ball in hand and a quality goal kicker too. Now, with extra bulk, his comeback just got that bit more intriguing.
"Injuries always have a downside and an upside. The upside for him is that he's had a really good opportunity to put some conditioning on," Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd confirmed at the Brisbane Global Tens.
"He has comeback and he's looking pretty frisky. I don't think he's lost any speed with the size so that bodes well for him."
Previously listed at 96kg, Barrett has now cracked the century mark.
"Shall we say something like 115kg that might get punters thinking," Boyd joked. "115kg and six foot five, that would rival Don Clarke wouldn't it?"
Barrett will not travel to South Africa or Argentina but is on track to return in either the Hurricanes' third (Crusaders) or fourth match (Highlanders) which are split by the bye.
Expected to again slot in at fullback for the Hurricanes in a competitive back three eventually comprising Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea or Wes Goosen, long-term the added weight opens the prospect of Barrett featuring at second five-eighth, the position he starred in throughout the junior ranks.
What a luxury it will be for the All Blacks to carry someone genuinely comfortable performing anywhere from midfield to fullback. That is exactly the kind of special talent this Barrett is.
"Jordie is still picking his way through where he might end up positionally. He's a good team man and wherever the team needs him he'll be happy to play. He is one of those guys that at a pinch he could probably play any position other than halfback. If you had to toss him in at 10 he'd probably do a good job. He could certainly play 12 and 13 and he's quick enough to play on the wing. He's one of those multi-talented guys.
"He'll play at fullback for us when he comes back and when Nehe Milner-Skudder returns we'll work out who is going where."
All injuries are cruel but the timing of Barrett's last year was particularly so given Ben Smith's sabbatical. After his impressive debut alongside fellow Hurricanes rookie Ngani Laumape in the third the British and Irish Lions test, Barrett was set to challenge Damian McKenzie for the All Blacks fullback role, only to be robbed of the chance and sidelined.
Now with McKenzie switching his focus to first-five with the Chiefs this season, Barrett will be expected to deputise and push All Blacks vice-captain Smith.
"It's a bit of a Barrett trait he's pretty horizontal he doesn't get too fazed by much. He's not intimidated by the big stage at all in fact he relishes it."
Boyd indicated Milner-Skudder would return from his own shoulder surgery sometime in May while Coles' recovery from his ACL rupture will stretch into June.
By that time the benefits of Barrett's bulk are sure to be clearly evident.
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