Blues first five-eighth Beauden Barrett rebounded in Melbourne against the Rebels in emphatic fashion a week after a costly in-goal blunder in a loss to the Chiefs.
Barrett was back to his best in a second half blitz by the visitors in the 54-17 win over the Rebels, having a hand in a number of tries including some brilliant playmaking for Mark Telea’s second try.
The Rebels had the lead at halftime but the Blues were confident that the home side was going to fold according to Barrett.
“We were in the right areas of the field in that first half, we were applying pressure but the cracks weren’t quite there,” Barrett told Stan Sport.
“We just needed to be patient in that second half and we were.
The 31 year old was back in a happy mood following the win which ‘wasn’t perfect’ but enough to keep the Blues within touching distance of the top four.
The Blues ran in seven tries in total over the Rebels which included doubles to Mark Telea and halfback Finlay Christie.
After losses to the Brumbies, Crusaders and Chiefs, last year’s beaten finalists are in a battle for a home playoff fixture.
“I just wanted to get back out here and enjoy my footy, the big boys gave me an opportunity to do that on the front foot.
“It wasn’t a perfect game but it never is, but it is good to be smiling again.
“It’s just a mindset shift, I know there’s a few doubters around but I’m playing with a smile on my face and that’s all that matters.
“We came over here to do a job and we did it.”
Blues head coach Leon MacDonald praised the All Black No 10 for the way he responded to ‘harsh’ criticism during the week.
“I thought his game was fantastic,” he said of Barrett’s performance.
“He’s a quality player and every player has moments where they’re not at their best in any sport.
“The sign of the champion that he is, he didn’t flinch the whole week.
“I thought he was fantastic in the way he led our team, drove the strategy really well and he just got on with his business.
“I thought today he kicked really well. It wasn’t easy conditions out there, it was quite greasy yet he still had the confidence to play which was really good to see as well.”
