How the All Blacks broke Argentina open with Jordie Barrett

The All Blacks have been searching for a No 12 who can deliver the direct game plan reserved for the likes of Argentina, South Africa and France for some time now.

In Mendoza Jordie Barrett played his fourth Test at second five-eighth and his first against one of those physical opponents in the midfield.

He produced a stoic performance, charging into the Pumas’ defence with no regard for safety, offering Foster and the coaches assurance he can be the lynchpin to deliver a direct game plan.

It has been called the ‘Javelin’ attack, and many All Black 12s have run the same set of plays before him; Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue, David Havili.

It has been a staple of former head coach Steve Hansen and Ian Foster’s playbook for a number of years.

There are a couple of variations of the same play, one is a pass direct off the halfback to the No 12 and the other is one pass wider from the No 10 to vary the point of attack.

Each variation of the play is centred around the No 12 running a hard line into the defence and taking the role of the primary playmaker.

The outside centre angles in as a short option outside 12, with the No 10 and blindside winger floating around the edge to overload the far side.

The 12 has multiple options at their disposal and is tasked with making the read based on what the defence gives.

It’s a common launch play across professional rugby, but a specific type of 12 is required to get the most out of it.

The 6’5 Barrett combined with the 6’2 Ioane offers plenty of size for the opposition to consider, and against Argentina the All Blacks found the most success they’ve had with the set of plays since Sonny Bill Williams.

Throughout the first half Barrett kept things simple, he used Ioane on the short ball once and ran the crash line on every other occasion.

The Pumas’ line speed was faster early in the game and Barrett’s carries kept them honest.

The All Blacks rolled out the heavy artillery to confront Argentina after Barrett’s carry, using the likes of Shannon Frizell, Ardie Savea, and Scott Barrett coming around the corner on the phases thereafter to break down the blue and white wall. Savea bagged a try close to the line following one of these sequences.

Barrett had limited time to play any of his pass options due to the line speed, but the opportunity was developing.

The Pumas’ new midfield pair Lucio Cinti (12) and Matias Moroni (13) were not well versed with each other.

While Moroni is experienced, Cinti played on the wing last year in New Zealand and has 12 caps.

Sebastian Cancelliere, 12 caps, was a late replacement for Bautista Delguy on the right wing and young Mateo Carreras was on the left.

They would be tested in the second half when the All Blacks’ backs decided to finally release wide out the back.

On the first attacking chance in the second half, Barrett played McKenzie out the back to take advantage of the growing disconnect between the centre-wing channel.

Barrett was given early ball to attack the space out wide but Carreras was up to the task and managed to bring the fullback down as he tried to get to the outside.

The All Blacks got a chance shortly after to run the play again going the other way, towards the right wing with Cancelliere and reserve midfielder Matias Orlando.

Barrett and Ioane executed their running lines perfectly, drawing contact and creating the block required for McKenzie to scamper around the corner.

Argentina had the play well-covered and a slight slip up by Orlando is what cost them.

He didn’t bite on Ioane’s line underneath him, but with McKenzie coming around the corner at pace he was caught at a standstill.

The All Black No 10 was able to make the line break and then found the final pass to Beauden Barrett unmarked outside for a slick set piece try.

They tried a chip kick variation on the next attempt, bringing all of Jordie Barrett’s skills to the table.

The Hurricanes’ second five-eighth possesses more power and size than David Havili of the Crusaders, whilst running straighter than Havili demonstrated at times in the past couple of seasons.

Barrett has quickly become the answer at No 12 which has changed the whole dynamic of the backline. Foster has the second five he needs to run his playbook.

He proved that he can handle the physicality from the Argentinians, only getting into trouble once where he was almost held up and turned.

The Test against South Africa will be another good challenge for Barrett in his evolution into a Test midfielder.

Another impressive performance will seal the deal for Barrett as the All Blacks’ 12 heading into the World Cup.