All Black Beauden Barrett has opened up about the challenges he faced in working his way back into the All Blacks starting side after largely being left out during the South African tour last month.
Barrett was selected to start at fullback for the All Blacks for the first time this year, and contributed well in their 50-19 victory against the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday.
The 146-Test All Black only featured in one Test match for the All Blacks on "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" tour, alongside a couple of midweek games against the South African domestic sides.
"It did challenge me mentally a little bit with not being selected and just feeling a little bit off the pace," said Barrett.
'It's important to bounce back'
"When you're in the 23 or the 15, you're in the thick of it and you feel that flow, the connections, the combinations and all of that.
"I'd be lying if I said that it hasn’t affected me, but the important thing is to bounce back, focus on what I do well, and be consistent."
Barrett said his confidence has come from getting back into the training environment, having been afforded the opportunity after Richie Mo'unga's injury on Monday last week.
"At the end of the day, it's about the All Blacks winning, so if I'm contributing outside of the 23 or within it, then that's my role in the team."
Barrett said there's been no mixed messages from All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie.
"He's liking how he's training, happy with my contribution, and it was clear that I wasn't up in the pecking order, so I had to work for it or wait for my opportunity."
The All Blacks fullback also said he didn't spend time listening to any negative outside noise about his selection at fullback ahead of the Eden Park Test match.
"You feel a bit of an undertone; it's there, but I don't waste my time with that to be fair."
Return of the brothers
Barrett returned to the All Blacks' starting side at Eden Park alongside his brother Scott Barrett, who came into the squad for the first time this year after an extended injury period.
"Having missed out on recent Test matches, it meant a lot to get back out there and to play alongside my brothers, especially with Scott’s return – that always feels really good but this one was super special."
He also had praise for brother Jordie Barrett's man-of-the-match performance in Auckland and said he was "hands down" the best second-five in the world at the moment.
"He's been incredible this season in every single Test match. I'm inspired by his work rate, his physicality, and his involvement – his influence in this team is arguably second to none.
"I'm just proud as a big brother in the way that he's leading – you don't get to see that from outside the environment, but he's certainly matured into a world-class player."
The All Blacks second-five played a key role in his side's ball retention from Cam Roigard's box kicks in what was a "good night at the office".
"We talk about it a lot: the importance of winning that battle, and if it's not clean, then it's winning the spillages.
"Cam kicked really well; whether it was kicking out or making that a contestable kick, we were able to win that battle, which we like because it triggers a spark attack, which we like to play from."
Injury ward forces changes
Rennie was forced to make four injury changes to his squad before heading off to Sydney, with Asafo Aumua (concussion), Anton Segner (concussion), Ethan Blackadder (calf), and Leroy Carter (ankle) all not able to make the trip over.
Four injury replacements in the form of George Bell, Du'plessis Kirifi, Anton Lienert-Brown and Jamie Hannah arrived with the squad in Sydney on Sunday to prepare to face the Wallabies in the second Bledisloe Cup Test at Accor Stadium.
However, the All Blacks aren't the only New Zealand side taking on Australia this week in Sydney, with the Kiwis set to clash with the Kangaroos in the Rugby League World Cup opener at Allianz Stadium.
Barrett said some of the All Blacks squad were "buzzing" as they ran into members of the Kangaroos squad staying at the same hotel, and they were keen to head along and support the Kiwis for their Trans-Tasman battle on Thursday night.
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