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It was only fitting that Beauden Barrett had a deciding say in New Zealands final Test of 2016.Energised by the half-time break and led by the rampaging Sebastien Vahaamahina, France had hammered their way deep into the All Blacks 22 before Barrett spotted his chance.In picking off Camille Lopezs attempted pass and sprinting the length of the pitch to dot down, the 25-year-old displayed the attributes that have earned him not only his countrys No. 10 shirt but also the right to call himself the worlds best player.Barrett would have you believe it was just a case of right place, right time. I just sort of got the angle right, he said afterwards. Its one of those opportunist things, you dont plan it.But that is a typically modest summation. Lots of players have found themselves in a similar position but few have had the confidence to stretch out and make an attempt to win the ball, especially with seven points the inevitable cost of any slip.Barrett is not like other players. His ability to read the game, even when the pressure is on, is second to none and he also possesses the hands to snaffle the interception and pace to outrun even the quickest winger.It is that lethal skillset, allied to an ice-cool head, that has seen him edge out Aaron Cruden as the successor to All Blacks legend Dan Carter in that famous No. 10 shirt.He had an X-Factor right from the start, Mark Anscombe, who gave Barrett his New Zealand under-20s debut, told ESPN. He could turn a game, he has always had that. His pace and his ability to eye an opportunity and just back himself -- his confidence to take on what he sees -- is what sets him apart.He doesnt second guess himself. Even back then, if he saw an opportunity he took it. A very instinctive player, but also very level headed, a smart footballer who understood the game, read the game well and also communicated well.Anscombe, who is now Canada coach, describes Barrett as the ultimate team man and that is something to which his colleagues with the senior All Blacks would certainly attest.TJ Perenara knows Barrett better than most having played alongside him since their days with the U20s for club and country. He has watched his teammate evolve at close quarters, cementing a half-back partnership at the Hurricanes that has now been transported into the Test arena.Hes a class act. Hes probably one of the fastest players on the field and hes got a cool head on him, Perenara said following Saturdays win over France.To be able to play with him throughout the year its good for the guys around him. He makes other players look better, and I think thats his biggest strength.Yes, hes fast, yes, hes a good player himself but the time he gives to other players and the holes that he puts other players in I think is his best asset.Barretts rise to All Blacks playmaker and World Rugby Player of the Year has not always seemed set in stone, though. He was not Anscombes first-choice fly-half when the Baby Blacks travelled to Italy for the 2011 Junior World Championship.Instead, the coach -- on the advice of his assistant Chris Boyd -- decided to start his son, Wales international Gareth Anscombe, at 10 with another future Test fly-half, Lima Sopoaga, at 12. Barrett anchored a mouth-watering back line at fullback.We just wanted to have our best players on the park, Anscombe Sr. says. We always knew that Beauden had that ability to play at 15 because of his speed [which gives him] opportunity in open space, and thats what we wanted to give him. It worked out for us.It is a tactic that All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has transferred to Test rugby, with Barrett switching to the back three when Cruden came on at the Stade de France on Saturday.According to Anscombe, Barrett just wants to be out on the park and play, and his lack of ego has definitely given the All Blacks an interesting attacking option.In turn, his willingness to sacrifice himself for the good of the team should stand him in good stead as he continues to work on the one area of real weakness in his game -- goal kicking.Barrett has enjoyed an encouraging November from the kicking tee, converting 11 of his 12 attempts at the posts. But the memory of Octobers final Bledisloe Cup Test, in which he missed three out of three and was replaced early in the second half, is still raw.Hes human, like everyone, and his work-on without question is his goal kicking, Anscombe explains.Im sure no one puts more effort and work into it than he does because thats the kind of diligent guy he is, but its a weakness in his game. His goal kicking is not international level, thats the one area in which he slips up.And you can be certain that Barrett will be working on his kicking, day in, day out ahead of the British & Irish Lions visit next June. He has always had that dedication, whether as an eight-year-old tackling GAA in County Meath, Ireland, or as a Baby Black adapting to a new position.He has had plenty of experienced heads to learn from too. Having served a three-year apprenticeship under Carter, Barrett can still call on Cruden and Ian Foster, the All Blacks assistant coach and former Chiefs fly-half, for advice.Thats the beauty of top teams, you have depth, Anscombe says. Beauden has been able to spend a lot of time with two great 10s, Carter and Cruden, not only to challenge himself but to work and talk and discuss what 10s need to do.He adds: Thats the big thing with a lot of these guys; they havent just turned up at this level. Theyre coachable, they listen, they seek from others, and hes had some great coaches with him.He takes it on board and is willing to be challenged and looked at.With that attitude and commitment, rugby should take note that the worlds best player will only get better. Domata Peko Sr. Jersey . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. 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SAN FRANCISCO -- Vin Scullys iconic voice on the videoboard welcomed a sellout crowd to Game No. 162, the regular-season finale, yes, and more notably the last of his decorated, Hall of Fame broadcasting career.Its time for Giant-Dodger baseball, the greatest rivalry in all of professional sports, Scully declared.Scully attended morning Mass in the ballpark as is his usual Sunday routine and then headed for his booth to work as he has done for an astounding 67 years -- exactly 80 years after the Bronx-born Scully became a Giants fan at age 8 in New York.It was as if it was ordained, Scully said during San Franciscos 7-1 win that secured the Giants the second NL wild card. I hope youre enjoying it and I hope Im not interrupting it too much.San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy cherished his chance to visit with Scully last week at Dodger Stadium, and to be part of Scullys special farewell Sunday.This is his last game, and were honored to think hed come up here, 80 years to the day that he became a Giants fan, Bochy said. Thats pretty amazing, isnt it? Not just a tremendous body of work but how long hes been doing it and how great he still is. So its pretty cool.Fans in the sellout crowd turned to look up at Scully with their standing ovation and held signs as a Scully video welcomed fans on the scoreboard shortly before first pitch at AT&T Park, where he has been riding in and out of the ballpark on Hall of Famer Willie Mays golf cart and had some time to reminisce with the Say Hey Kid on Saturday.The 88-year-old Scully politely declined any kind of on-field celebration offered by the Giants. San Francisco then jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first.Just as it has been for two years, the Dodgers are in trouble at AT&T Park, Scully said. The sun has broken through the clouds and it is shining on the Giants for the moment.Scullys booth featured a special security detail all weekend, and Scully had several personal drivers to get around the city. He handled the Giants broadcast in the third inning, then said while San Francisco fans might consider it no big deal, it was for him, noting his appreciation of the thoughtful gesture.The Oakland Raiders took out a full-page ad in the San Francisco Chronicle honoring Scully with the NFL teams longtime catchphrase, Commitment to Excellence.VIN MISS U ALREADY one sign blared. The media cafeteria featured cupcakes with an edible message of Thank You Vin with a tiny microphone.Scully offered some memorable phrases early in his finale:During Hunter Pences first-inning at-bat, Scully noted, He would make coffee nervous. ... Hes just been a wild man swinging the bat this series. Scully noted later in the broadcast Pence is one of his favoritte players because he tries so hard, but noted the right fielder is trying too hard right now.ddddddddddddAfter the game when told of Scullys remarks, Pence smiled and said, Hes pretty funny.A room-service fly ball to Angel Pagan, he called Adrian Gonzalezs fly to left in the second. Later, Scully described Pagans piercing eyes.Fans received a special poster with a photo of Scully in an orange sport coat that read:VIN SCULLY FINAL MLB BROADCAST.SEASONS 67 BROADCASTS 9,000+ BASEBALL FAN 80 YEARSLA VS SFOctober 2, 2016On back, it read, THANK YOU VINEven the out-of-town scoreboard beneath the right-field arcade paid tribute with THX in one slot and VIN below it.Giants CEO Larry Baer and Mays presented a plaque to Scully before the top of the fourth, and Scully apologized for coming back tardy to the broadcast.Theres a game going on, Scully said, Thank you, Larry. He went on to express his gratitude for the Giants hospitality all weekend with him and his family.In the middle of the inning, Giants fans stood again to honor Scully as Frank Sinatras My Way played. Scully, Mays and Baer were shown on the video board, and the Giants announced a plaque to be hung in the visiting broadcast booth.Everybody involved seemed to appreciate the moment, being a tiny part of it or simply playing witness to the end of an era in baseball.Its hard to repeat what happened last Sunday at Dodger Stadium, but the finality now, Dodgers-Giants, I know there might be a tear in Vins eye, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. To be a part of what hes done in his last game, Ill give him a little salute at some point.Afterward, Roberts called it a huge honor to be part of Scullys finale and also sad day, but its something that definitely should be rejoiced. Hes had an amazing career.Scully told his story once more of going to games at the old Polo Grounds, the tale of the little red-headed kid walking by a Chinese laundry, 8 3/4 leaving grammar school on his way home. ... I just fell in love with baseball.Mike Krukow and the other Giants broadcasters told Scully how much they loved him and led Take Me Out to the Ball Game in the adjoining booth from Scully during the seventh-inning stretch.In the sixth, amid all the reflection and fanfare, Scully reminded his audience he was supposed to be handling play-by-play.It has been a party, a retirement party, he said, and it has been marvelous.When the game ended, his day done and career complete, Scully told everybody so long: I have said enough for a lifetime, and for the last time, I wish you all a very pleasant good afternoon. ' ' '