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'Everybody could see that': Beauden Barrett's game changing performance the difference
By Ben Smith
Both head coaches Steve Borthwick and Scott Robertson have heaped praise on All Blacks utility Beauden Barrett after his 29 minute performance changed the Test match at Eden Park.
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The 125-Test veteran came into the game with the All Black down by 17-13 and subsequently created the momentum shift required to get New Zealand home and preserve the 30 year unbeaten streak at Eden Park.
At first he used his kicking game to turn the screws on England and win the necessary territory before igniting the All Blacks attack with a big line break and try assist for left wing Mark Tele’a.
After the All Blacks hit the lead he showed a desire to counter from the backfield, one on occasion chipping over the top and kicking a second time with the volley.
He just missed out bringing in the second kick for what could have been a career highlight play for the 33-year-old.
“Oh look the question sort of answers itself,” head coach Scott Robertson said on Beauden’s impact.
“Just some nice touches, his kicking, cover of the backfield, brave enough and showed some courage to take it to the line.
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“Got a couple of short balls there to put people away. It was class.”
On whether Barrett’s showing demanded a start or whether his best role was as a “safety blanket” for the side, Robertson remained coy but previously has revealed that discussions have been had.
“I think his performance and his contribution over the last two Tests has been really, really valuable,” he said, “It just shows the class footballer that he is.”
England head coach Steve Borthwick was quick to point out Barrett as the difference between the two teams, not just in Auckland but in Dunedin as well.
His contribution to the All Blacks was “phenomenal” to orchestrate two comeback wins where England held the lead after scoring first in the second stanza.
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“You look at New Zealand team and Beauden Barrett, the impact he’s had in that last twenty minutes in both of these two Test matches, one of the world’s best players, is phenomenal,” Borthwick said.
“For us, we are a couple years younger even with Dan Cole in our squad and a few hundred caps short of them. What I need to do is coach, accelerate the learning to close that gap as quickly as possible.
“I think he had a significant influence upon the game, everybody could see that.
“He dealt with some sticky situations. He was in his own 22 and ended up putting New Zealand in a favourable field position a number of times.
“His distribution threatening that wider channel, now how we allowed that we will look at what we can do differently.
BB has always been a super sub . should of been used that way since 2016
Top Halfbacks score tries. Findlay Christie doesn’t at least in an All Black Jersey 1 in 24 games. Aaron Smith was 132 games and 30 tries? Can you see Findlay suddenly “Improving” Goneburger!
Something missed by most observers is the effect of swift service from the halfback. BB had the Rolls Royce with Cortez Ratima while DMac had to deal with a clapped out old Army jeep.
The problem for Steve and England is that the All Blacks should be much better by November. I suspect the experiment at No. 6 will be resolved by Scott Barrett taking that role, which will also fix the line-out problem, by allowing a genuine 2 metre plus Retallick-type replacement, a Josh Lord or a Sam Darry, to partner Tuipolotu. Then there’s Will Jordan at fullback and, with a bit of luck, Cam Roigard at half-back. These two tests might have shown the ABs at their most vulnerable…