Analysis: The performances of Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie at the Cake Tin may have settled a few questions for Scott Robertson, writes Patrick McKendry.
If Scott Robertson saw the All Blacks No.10 jersey as a puzzle before the weekend, he presumably doesn’t now.
Beauden Barrett, 33, proved he still has what it takes to excel in one of the most demanding positions on a rugby pitch and Damian McKenzie put in a sparkling performance off the reserves bench in what added to an encouraging final quarter in the 33-13 victory in Wellington.
With Will Jordan’s attacking instincts as sharp as ever at fullback – his best position but one he is not used to playing at this level - the pieces may have suddenly fallen into place for the head coach with five Tests remaining this year.
It may be that Barrett enjoyed a slice of luck at the Cake Tin given he guided the All Blacks in what was by far their best defensive performance of 2024 inside the impressive Anton Lienert-Brown at second-five and outside the even better loose forward Wallace Sititi.
But Barrett brought a calmness and control to what was his first start in the position in a Test in two years and he did it by not overplaying his hand, a strategy that McKenzie hasn’t quite been able to follow in his first eight Tests of the year.
The 29-year-old might get there, but after 56 Tests he may also be running out of time. Barrett, who has played 131, proved once again that he is a safe pair of hands and his quiet confidence flowed through the rest of the attack.
Watch Scotty Stevenson and Pat McKendry analyse the Test on TVNZ+
It will probably be enough to convince Robertson to hand him the reins for what will be three extremely challenging tests in November against England, Ireland and Wales outside of what will presumably be easier fixtures against Japan and Italy on either side of those.
Which is not to say McKenzie won’t play there again or that he doesn’t have an important role, just that on this year’s evidence – crystalised at the weekend – he appears best suited for an impact role.
He brought a real energy off the bench at Sky Stadium which is something the All Blacks have missed this year, Barrett’s performance as a super-sub against England in the July Tests excepted.
Elsewhere, Lienert-Brown’s distribution skills in the midfield showed he must be considered a genuine option there ahead of Rieko Ioane.
It was Lienert-Brown’s perfect pass (after Sititi’s break and offload), which sent Sevu Reece away for the All Blacks’ first try of the night and it was instructive that Ioane had trouble with a similar pass when at full pace later in the Test.
With Caleb Clarke presumably cementing his place in the No.11 jersey by impressing with his defence as much as his attacking performance in scoring two of the five tries, and Cortez Ratima showing he is the best halfback in the country while Cam Roigard is sidelined, the centre and right wing positions appear the only ones remotely contestable in the backline if one assumes Jordie Barrett returns to second-five when fit again.
Lienert-Brown struggled defensively in the defeat to Argentina in Wellington in August – the only real blot on Robertson’s record, which includes two defeats to the world champions in South Africa – but he was excellent when given another opportunity in the capital. Could he be a contender at No.13, with Ioane moving out one to the right wing?
It's more food for thought for Robertson, who will consider his pack far more settled beyond how to fill the No.7 jersey from next year onwards.
One thing is certain – Sititi appears a near automatic selection somewhere in the loose trio, and it may be that his next big opportunity comes at No.8, with Ardie Savea moving to openside flanker and Ethan Blackadder to the blindside.
Sititi, only 22 and in his first year with the All Blacks, continues to be the big mover but Beauden Barrett, a man at the other end of the experience scale, showed once again that he deserves to be at the heart of the All Blacks’ decision making.
Watch Scotty Stevenson and Pat McKendry analyse the Test on TVNZ+
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