On Sunday, Beauden Barrett will return to Taranaki for the first time since 2020, facing Wellington in New Plymouth. At 35 years old, with 145 selections for the All Blacks, the former world's best player in 2016 and 2017 remains one of the most recognizable faces in New Zealand rugby. His return to the NPC, the provincial championship which serves as a stepping stone to Super Rugby, adds a special significance to this final day of the regular season. Barrett made his debut in the NPC in 2010 at just 19 years old and quickly made an impression, earning the rookie of the year award for his performances. His return is part of a long-standing New Zealand tradition, as 14 All Blacks have been made available for their provinces this weekend. At Taranaki, Barrett will reunite with fly-half Josh Jacomb and number eight Bradley Slater. His brother Scott had already returned to the competition with the province the previous weekend. The timing of Barrett's return is not neutral. He has played a limited role in the recent tour of South Africa and still needs to prove his worth before the announcement, on Tuesday, of the 34-player squad for the Bledisloe Cup, a test series between New Zealand and Australia. The competition for leadership roles in the All Blacks remains intense, with players like Damian McKenzie, Ruben Love, Richie Mo'unga, and Jacomb all vying for spots. For Taranaki, this is more than just a temporary reinforcement. It is the return of a global rugby legend and a former All Black captain to the dressing room. The event has already drawn 5,000 ticket sales, which is a significant number for a competition in a country with more sheep than people. By Sunday, the return of the prodigy could attract even more fans, turning the match into a pilgrimage for rugby enthusiasts.