SaberCats Captain Danny Barrett Exemplifies Leadership, Toughness: ‘He’s a warrior’

By Aaron Wilson

Danny Barrett plays rugby with a distinct aggressiveness, composure and skill, embodying all of the leadership traits the SaberCats are looking for.

That’s why the veteran flanker was named one of the Major League Rugby club’s team captains as they prepare for Sunday’s regular-season opener in Arlington against the Dallas Jackals.

Not only did the 6-foot-3, 235-pounder start 11 of 12 matches last season for the SaberCats before re-signing in January, he scored three tries.

It’s his leadership that sets him apart, according to SaberCats director Heyneke Meyer.

The SaberCats have more than one captain, including returning second-team all-star selection Dean Muir, who’s currently back in South Africa and away from the team to be with his wife as she gives birth.

“He’s a warrior,” Meyer said of Barrett on Friday afternoon. “He’s a great guy to have on the team, a brilliant leader. He’s obviously very experienced. Dean is also a good captain, but Danny brings something different.”

The 32-year-old California native, a former collegiate All-American at Cal who has a high school football background growing up in Pacifica, Calif., has advanced experience as a former World Cup Sevens player, World Sevens Series Dream Team member and a USA Men’s national team member

“He’s been to the Olympics, he’s been to World Cups, he loves to compete,” Meyer said. “He’s a warrior, so it’s great to have him as a captain. We have a lot of experience with him. I’ve learned my lesson in the past. 

“I’ve had one captain and then I’ve had four captains get injured. We have to have more than one. We have four or five guys. It’s more about the leadership group than one person and Danny is one of our leaders.”

Barrett has played rugby everywhere from the United States to New Zealand and London.

The SaberCats will lean on him Sunday at Choctaw Stadium against an overhauled Jackals team.

The SaberCats, a returning playoff team that reached the Western Conference finals last season before losing to the Seattle Seawolves, are coming off a 34-21 preseason match over the New England Free Jacks. The Jackals lost 45-19 to the New Orleans Gold during a preseason match.

Having an extremely reliable player like Barrett to set the tone provides a boost to the SaberCats.                                  

“Danny he’s unbelievable,” SaberCats coach Pote Human said. “He’s a very professional guy. We’re very fortunate to have him as a captain.”

*Photos by Nicolas Romero