Beauden Barrett’s 30-minute cameo off the reserves bench which changed the game for the All Blacks against England at Eden Park may present head coach Scott Robertson with a dilemma.
How can Robertson continue to limit such a game-breaking talent to bit parts? Barrett was excellent off the bench in Dunedin as the All Blacks squeezed past by one point in the first Test and last night was simply sensational.
His form and quality demand a start ahead of the now incumbent fullback Stephen Perofeta – and maybe next Saturday against Fiji in San Diego – but the other side of the equation is the superb impact he provides in the final quarter of Tests.
The man himself made his thoughts known after the 24-17 victory which upheld a 30-year undefeated record at Eden Park which appeared very much in danger until Barrett took advantage of a backline mismatch against the otherwise outstanding Maro Itoje to slice through and present Mark Tele’a with his second try of the night.
Suddenly the All Blacks were playing with an energy they had lacked until then. In the end it carried them home.
Asked whether he would prefer to start, Barrett, recently back from a season in Japan, replied: “I enjoy being back in the black jersey. I’m grateful for the opportunity, but of course everyone wants to start and be out there from the first minute. It’s a competitive situation and I’m just happy to influence where I can.”
Fiji may not demand such an intervention because they are unlikely to defend with the intensity and consistency that England do. But there is little doubt the All Black attack needs to improve.
After saying they had learned their lessons after being exposed by the rush defence in the first Test, the All Blacks again appeared to lack ideas; Telea’s first try, a sneaky move down the blindside, not withstanding.
Fortunately for the All Blacks, all the bench players had an impact, with halfback Cortez Ratima enjoying a memorable debut when coming on after 53 minutes and centre Anton Lienert-Brown showing the value of his distributing skills.
“I was just trying to stay with the reserve boys and commentate the game and stay connected so we’re on the same page,” Barrett said.
“We understand the influence we can have coming off the bench. I was sitting next to Cortez and Anton trying to keep each other calm and ready. Depending on the game - in my case I had 50 minutes to sit and watch and analyse and see how I can influence it – ultimately when you get out there it’s pure instinct.”
Barrett’s influence wasn’t confined to setting up Tele’a’s score which helped put the All Blacks 18-17 ahead.
He threatened to score a stunning try when chipping ahead, kicking the ball again on the volley, and almost picking fullback Freddie Steward’s pocket.
Barrett also held up England captain and hooker Jamie George in the final frantic moments as England appeared certain to score a try which would have given them a chance to tie the Test.
The sight of the three on-field match officials talking to the television match official as they watched a replay several times would have had the All Blacks’ coaches on tenterhooks, but any “try” would have been ruled out for obstruction, the officials decided.
Asked about it, Barrett said: “I’m not sure about the obstruction rule, I just tried to get under the ball and hold them up. I knew I successfully did that.
“It came down to the wire there at the end and that’s Test footy. Yeah, it’s pleasing.”
Both head coaches paid credit to Barrett’s performance, with Robertson saying: “I’m just really proud of the mental fortitude to stay in the fight. They put us in our corner for a lot of that Test match. In the second half we won every lineout [on own throw] and won a couple of kick battles. One of the brothers comes on and plays a hell of a match and the Test turns.
“He had some nice touches, his kicking, the cover of the back field – brave enough and showed some courage to take it to the line, took a couple of short balls there to put people away, it was class."
England head coach Steve Borthwick said: “… Beauden Barrett - the impact he’s had in that last 20 minutes in both of these Test matches. One of the world’s best players - he’s phenomenal.
“He had a significant influence on the game, I think everyone could see that. The way he dealt with some pretty tricky situations in his own 22 and ended up putting New Zealand in a pretty favourable field position a number of times, as well as his distribution threat in the wider channel.”
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