'20 to go he might get me': Beauden Barrett on Bledisloe double as 150th cap looms

Beauden Barrett has extended his All Blacks try record to 48 after a Bledisloe double in Sydney inched him closer to the former spot held by Doug Howlett.

In that first half demolition fullback Barrett bagged a brace with power from close before a classic intercept right on half-time which proved critical.

The Wallabies had attempted to pick apart the All Blacks on the edges frequently, something they had a lot of success with but without polish as the final pass went astray.

Looking to land a blow right on half-time, Barrett landed a big blow by reigning in a Max Jorgensen pop pass and taking back 70 metres the other way.

“They were obviously swinging with great numbers, I was in a position where I had to come in and make a decision,” Barrett said.

“I’ve been there in the past where those intercepts don’t go to hand, you’re looking at 10 minutes in the bin, but this one was well executed and I’ll take it.

The 147-Test veteran had Wallabies fullback Tom Wright in pursuit, one of the fastest players in the Wallabies.

Barrett said he thought that Wright might gun him down in the final 20 metres but the didn’t have enough angle to make it.

“I wasn’t sure, I knew it was him [Wright],” Barrett said.

“I know that he’s pretty quick, I thought with 20 to go he might get me. I just, thankfully had the stamina.”

Barrett has found his way back into the team as injuries have sidelined many big names. His first Test of the year was off the bench in Baltimore, while he’s been able to start both Bledisloes.

Sydney’s Test was a vintage performance from Barrett and he said the enjoyment of playing in Rennie’s system makes him “feel like himself” again after a tough year with the Blues.

“The game that we are playing is an enjoyable one, the style that we are trying to play. Doing that with D-Mac and obviously Cam is playing extremely well,” he said.

“It was a tough Super season, the way that we went about things, so to get a bit of energy from this team and start feeling myself again has been really rewarding.

With those three caps, Barrett is inching toward 150 Test caps with just three more to go.

Barrett could potentially make the milestone on the end of year tour.

“It’s been a tough team to crack and it’s a very good problem to have,” Barrett said.

“In terms of having to earn it, with the depth that we have. It’s just been an honour again being selected, I’ve really enjoyed it.

“Early on in the season seeing Ruben [Love] do his thing, I was really, really pleased for him. He’s taken our game to another level, in terms of the way that we want to move the ball. He certainly deserved that.

“Everyone’s had an opportunity and unfortunately we’ve had a lot of injuries, and more tonight, our depth is going to be challenged right through to the end of the season.

“But to roll our sleeves up and get to work for the Bledilsoe, it’s been enjoyable and right where I want to be.

“It’s obviously there [the 150th], but having sat out a number of Tests earlier this year, I don’t take any of them for granted.

“In the next one if I’m selected, I’ll take that and reassess and go again.