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All Blacks fans delighted to see a combination they have been campaigning for
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has one of the hardest jobs in rugby trying to fit all the talent at his disposal into one team.
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Every time he names a squad there are invariably a number of players that are unlucky not to be starting or playing at all. But one of the biggest problems that had been developing all Super Rugby season was the form of his fly-halves.
Richie Mo’unga steered the Crusaders to a third consecutive Super Rugby title and was widely seen as the best 10 in the competition. Meanwhile, Beauden Barrett, the two-time World Player of the Year, took the Hurricanes very close to beating the eventual champions in the semi-final.
With arguably the two best fly-halves in the world vying to start for their country, questions have been asked throughout the season as to how they can both play for the All Blacks.
The only solution that many fans could come up with was playing Barrett at full-back, which is what Hansen has opted for against the Springboks in Wellington this Saturday.
? WATCH | All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen talks through his selections for Saturday’s Test Match against the Springboks, in Wellington.#BACKBLACK pic.twitter.com/QNyE13hYNT
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 24, 2019
With the bulk of Crusaders players missing last weekend’s Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires, Barrett started at 10, but the return of Mo’unga means it was high time for Hansen to try this out before the World Cup.
A lot of All Blacks fans on social media are delighted with this decision, as it provides two elite playmakers in the backline. Mo’unga is perhaps a stronger kicker at 10, while Barrett comfortably has the pace to play in the back three and could look dangerous in the outside channels. It is a backline that many have been campaigning for all season, and feel it could be lethal if it clicks.
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The All Blacks respond to the Springboks naming their A team. https://t.co/B94tN581Tr
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 24, 2019
This is a fairly experimental All Blacks side, with some regulars such as Ardie Savea and Sam Cane not starting, while Aaron Smith is dropped to the bench.
However, with the World Cup less than two months away, this is the time to experiment, and trying out the Mo’unga-Barrett 10-15 combination now may pay off in September. This is what the fans have said:
??? this team is red hot! ??? Richie on 1??0?? and Beauden on 1??5?? saw that coming from a mile away ?? that combo is too good to resist ? https://t.co/Zn9m9ypEEc
— The White Oreo ?? (@Doc_Torio) July 24, 2019
Beauden at 15, interesting!!? https://t.co/sM577m4ec8
— Ntsika Zimema (@Ntsido_Z) July 24, 2019
Goodness me that backline ???????. Beauden coming in as the first receiver in 6/7th phase?? https://t.co/5hIcNVX08c
— Nqobile Madela (@nqobzasheen) July 24, 2019
Moung'a and Barrett starting. A two-pronged attack it is,add Bender too
Sonny Bill is back, as is Read. Bring this one already https://t.co/J80a8hHtzE— Njau (@_martinjoroge_) July 24, 2019
@mmmbiata been waiting for this. Mo'unga at 10, Beaudie at 15. Ben Smith with Rieko in the wings. https://t.co/MNufl5Fu7J
— Gazzanay (@nonimuriuki) July 24, 2019
BB at 15 and Richie at 10 ??????
— Christopher Logan (@CLCourtney82) July 24, 2019
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Nice team!!! Looks like it has great balance. Richie at 10 and Beauden at 15 looks like a pretty good combo to me. Going to be real interesting to see this 15 this Sat!!!
— Charlie (@GSMCHARLIE) July 24, 2019
Richie Mo'Unga – 10??
Barrett – 15??Boks won't see what hit them?. https://t.co/2y0G5PzxB2
— mass. (@ordinarymanmasi) July 24, 2019
Richie at 10 beaudy at 15 ? https://t.co/TTD1gFOTXU
— Rith Clegane (@_harithaiman) July 25, 2019
Imagine having a team so deep you could displace Barrett. The flip side of course is Mo’unga certainly earned it with the season he had
— Mr Potato S Thompson Head (@deluded_jim) July 24, 2019
Playing Barrett at full-back is not a completely novel idea for the All Blacks, as he is accustomed to the position. It has not been uncommon for Hansen in the past to move Barrett to 15 in the latter stages of the game when bringing Mo’unga on.
Likewise, he had to make do with playing there at the beginning of his career when Dan Carter wore the black jersey. However, this is the first time he has started at full-back since 2013 for the All Blacks.
The Springboks have named a very strong side, as the teams face off for the final time before their pool stage match in the World Cup. Furthermore, Wellington was also the venue of South Africa’s huge victory against the All Blacks last year, meaning there is a lot riding on this match for both teams.
Some may say that this is not the game to experiment in while equally, some will say that this is the perfect time to try new things under the most pressure before the World Cup.
Mo’unga and Barrett are both world-class and many fans have got what they wish for, but the players must now repay Hansen’s faith in them.
WATCH: The All Blacks clinch a first series win over Springboks in South Africa in 58 years, but they haven’t toured there since then outside of RWC or Rugby Championship
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
32 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
27 Go to comments