Beauden Barrett and Ben May to bring up Investec Super Rugby centuries

Mar 10 • General News, Super Rugby, Super Rugby News • 1546 Views • Comments Off on Beauden Barrett and Ben May to bring up Investec Super Rugby centuries

Beauden Barrett and Ben May will give Hurricanes fans two more reasons to celebrate Opening Night when the pair bring up their 100th Investec Super Rugby caps against the Crusaders at Westpac Stadium tonight.

Barrett (26) will become the 12th player to achieve 100 caps for the Hurricanes, following in the sprig marks of Dane Coles, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Rodney So’oialo, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Tana Umaga, Victor Vito and Julian Savea.

May (35) will also join the Investec Super Rugby centurions’ club after previously playing for the Crusaders and Chiefs during his long and storied career.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) will acknowledge the milestone in front of the pair’s home fans by presenting them with the traditional pounamu mere, given to players who play 100 Super Rugby games for New Zealand sides, at the end of tonight’s first home game for the Hurricanes.

May and Barrett will be the 53rd and 54th New Zealand players respectively to reach 100 Investec Super Rugby matches.

Barrett has amassed 100 Hurricanes caps during eight seasons at the club after making his debut against the Cheetahs in South Africa in 2011. Since then he has gone on to become the club’s top all-time points scorer and in 2017 was named World Rugby’s Player of the Year.

May made his debut for the Crusaders in 2007 and went on to play the following three seasons with the Chiefs, earning 33 caps. He joined the Hurricanes in 2012 for two seasons and returned in 2015 after playing in Japan 2013-14. May is a current member of the Maori All Blacks.

New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew said: “On behalf of New Zealand Rugby, I’d like to congratulate Beauden and Ben on reaching this milestone. Both men have contributed greatly to rugby in New Zealand they, and their families should be immensely proud of this achievement. To reach 100 Investec Super Rugby caps in such a tough, competitive age of our game is testament to their professionalism.”

Hurricanes Head Coach Chris Boyd commended both players on their milestones. “Reaching 100 Investec Super Rugby matches is a massive achievement and a reflection of the perseverance and professionalism they have shown throughout their careers.

“Both Beaudy [Barrett] and Bam [May] are very influential and popular members of our squad and our club and I know it will mean a lot to them to reach their milestones in front of friends, family and the Hurricanes home fans at Westpac Stadium.

“It’s a mark of the men that although tonight will be a special occasion for them individually, I have absolutely no doubt they will put their individual achievements aside and focus on the team.”