Super Rugby Pacific: Beauden Barrett expects the Highlanders to throw ‘the kitchen sink’ at the Blues

Blues playmaker Beauden Barrett is expecting the Highlanders to throw the “kitchen sink” at his side when they clash in the Super Rugby Pacific quarter-finals this weekend.

Having already secured the top spot on the table, the Blues rested several key players last weekend, including Barrett. Still, they managed to claim a dramatic win over the Waratahs thanks to a Zarn Sullivan drop goal.

Barrett is rested and ready to add to his fine season thus far but does not expect it to be easy going against the lowest-placed qualifier.

“I think we’ll thrive being at home, feed off that energy in those high-pressure moments,” he told Stuff. “The boys are ready for it. We know the kitchen sink will be thrown at us this week, and we’ll throw it back. There’s so much excitement and anticipation.”

Coach Leon MacDonald’s men had a tremendous regular season, growing as it progressed, but veteran Barrett knows that all falls away in play-off rugby.

“We get a big tick for the regular season, and we can take confidence from that, knowing what we’re doing has worked well for us. But it won’t happen itself this weekend,” said Barrett.

“We never underestimate the Highlanders. You know you’re always going to get an arm-wrestle, we know how proud they are, and they’ve got a lot of good players and are a team that will fight to the end. We respect what’s coming.”

The All Black believes selecting a weaker team for their clash against the Waratahs had its risks, but it paid off and underlined how vital squad depth is.

“There was a temptation for us all to be involved in another game and keep the ball rolling, But you’ve just got to trust these decisions made by trainers and coaches,” he said. “On the flip side a lot of guys got the opportunity to