Blues utility Beauden Barrett has criticised the behaviour of Wellington rugby fans, after they booed him during last weekend's 29-27 loss to the Hurricanes.
Last Saturday's match at Sky Stadium in Wellington was Barrett's first since departing the Hurricanes to join the Blues.
But the All Blacks star was stunned by the reception he received, considering he played 125 games for the franchise across nine seasons and led his team to their only Super Rugby title in 2016.
Barrett has told NZME that he's never been a fan of booing and it makes him "cringe" whenever he hears it.
"It makes you wonder doesn't it? How much you can do for a franchise and then be received like that.
"I give them the benefit of the doubt. It could have been booing with a smile on their faces at the same time, but I see it as booing nonetheless.
"I think it's pretty poor to be fair, I've never been a fan of it. When we've had Australian teams play in New Zealand at recent times, whenever that's happened, I just cringe.
"There's no place for that in rugby in New Zealand."
The Blues have named Barrett at first-five for this weekend's Super Rugby Aotearoa clash against the Chiefs in Auckland.
Barrett hasn't started a match at first-five since last year's Rugby World Cup warm-up test against Tonga in Hamilton.
Join us at 3:30pm Saturday for live updates of the Blues v Chiefs Super Rugby Aotearoa clash
