Beauden Barrett, one of the All Blacks with the most to gain - and potentially lose - in his team’s first tour match in South Africa on Saturday, says he is “grateful for the opportunity” to wear the No.10 jersey but will resist the temptation to overplay his hand.
Barrett will start at first-five against the Stormers in Cape Town with a point to prove after sitting out the entirety of last month’s three Nations Championship Tests.
He appears to be behind Ruben Love in the No.10 pecking order but, while head coach Dave Rennie has stated his team for the first Test against the Springboks on August 23 is all but settled, there will be room to manoeuvre, a point that would have been driven home to the 144-Test veteran, plus others in the most contestable positions such as loose forward Simon Parker, wing Rieko Ioane and lock Fabian Holland.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity,” Barrett said at a news conference this morning. “It [the break] has been a good chance to work on my game and at the same time freshen up a little bit.”
Asked about how he felt Rennie’s attack-focused game plan would suit him, Barrett replied with a focus on the team’s ambitions, saying: “It’s our DNA – it’s how we like to play and arguably how we used to play and there’s a nice free-flowing element to it.
“The fans probably want to see more of a free-flowing game so the rules adapt all the time around creating a game that allows us to do that. Of course, there are always going to be stoppages in play, but referees are more aware of those stoppages and don’t allow as many. With that you’ve obviously got to be more skilful and fitter because the ball is in play more.”
However, he added: “I know how excited I am and I’m conscious that I don’t want to overdo it either – overplay. It’s about containing that and making good decisions. There have been a few weeks between games for me. There may be a tendency to rip in but it’s about controlling those emotions and temptations and just backing myself and my preparation.”
The other intriguing and, depending on your point of view, heart-warming element to Barrett’s selection is the fact he is up against Jaqeen Ahmed, a 20-year-old rising star who has said he worshipped Barrett as a youngster.
“I feel honoured I was once looked up to by him,” Barrett said after he was informed of Ahmed’s admiration.
“As All Blacks, we’re always trying to do our best to inspire kids across the globe, not just in New Zealand.
“It’s pretty cool we have a chance to go head-to-head. I’ll certainly make sure I chat to him after the game and share a cold drink because he’s certainly the future.”
Others with big opportunities are Parker, named at blindside flanker after not being involved in any of the three Tests last month, plus Ioane, starting in the No.11 jersey after his sabbatical in Ireland.
The loose forward trio will be among the most contestable throughout the tour but particularly in the early stages in the absence of Ardie Savea, who has remained in New Zealand ahead of the first Test in Johannesburg.
Parker will start with No.8 Wallace Sititi and openside flanker Peter Lakai on Saturday, with Ethan Blackadder, named as one of the 10 newcomers to the squad alongside uncapped loosie Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, on the reserves bench at DHL Stadium.
Realistically, Parker is in a race against the highly-regarded Anton Segner, who made his debut last month, Sititi, Blackadder and potentially Lakai for a spot in the first Test team. Segner and openside flanker Luke Jacobson will presumably play a part for the All Blacks in their game against the Sharks in Durban on Wednesday NZT.
Ioane, meanwhile, is up against Caleb Clarke, named on the bench for the team’s first outing, plus Josh Moorby, who is starting at fullback, and potentially Leroy Carter for the left wing spot, assuming Damian McKenzie will wear the No.15 jersey and Will Jordan the No.14 for the first Test.
And, taking away the naming of the uncapped Josh Jacomb and Siale Lauaki on the bench, if any selection is a pointer to the future it is that of Moorby, hugely impressive on the left wing last month, at the back.
Moorby’s ability to be “brilliant at the basics” – one of Rennie’s favourite current sayings – has resonated with the coaching group. He is a player with a knack for creating time and space for himself and others and one with huge potential given his consistency.
Rennie said of Moorby: “He’s been impressive. He’s quite understated. His ability to do the obvious is a real point of difference. He knows when to run, when to pass, how to connect.
“He’s all over the park and we want to see the same thing from a 15 perspective. He’ll probably spend more time at first receiver which is what we want to see. He’s got a strong kicking game and is strong under the high ball. We think he’ll get a bit of practice there this weekend.”
All Blacks team to play Stormers
1. George Bower, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Fabian Holland, 5. Patrick Tuipulotu, (C), 6. Simon Parker, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Josh Moorby. Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Siale Lauaki, 19. Sam Darry, 20. Ethan Blackadder, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Caleb Clarke.
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