All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara is backing his club and country team-mate Beauden Barrett to shine, ahead of his first appearance as captain against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday.
In the absence of the likes of Kieran Read, Dane Coles and Sam Whitelock, Barrett, 26, will lead the All Blacks on their Northern tour opener, having never captained at Super Rugby or Mitre 10 Cup level before.
However, long time team-mate Perenara says that the lack of experience at the helm of a side won't matter to Barrett, backing him to lead the side well in the absence of his senior counterparts.
"He brings a great calmness and understanding of the game," Perenara told media.
"He's never had the label of a captain, but every team I've been in with him he's probably had a similar role to a captain."
"He talks a lot, and talks accurately in team huddles - in the build up to a Test or a game, he's very influential in that week."
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