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Scott Robertson explains why Beauden Barrett was selected ahead of McKenzie

Beauden Barrett of New Zealand looks on during The Rugby Championship & Bledisloe Cup match between New Zealand All Blacks and Australia Wallabies at Sky Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Scott Robertson says the selection of Beauden Barrett at first five for the All Blacks against England is the best call “for this week”.

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The All Blacks have used Damian McKenzie almost exclusively at No 10 this season, with Barrett getting his first chance in the second Bledisloe Test in Wellington, a 33-13 victory.

After McKenzie started against Japan with a largely second string side, Robertson stopped short of confirming a permanent change had been made.

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“A little bit,” Roberston said when asked if the All Blacks’ style will change with Beauden.

“Beauden is experienced. He understands what it is with the northern tours. If it’s out of his hands, or off the his foot, or game management.

“He’s very instinctive, the way he plays, but also knows how to get you around the field, so we believe he’s the best one for this week.”

Barrett proved instrumental for the All Blacks against England when the two sides met in July, with a bench cameo from Barrett lifting the side home at Eden Park in the second encounter.

He produced a game-changing performance in the final quarter, setting up a try and swinging the momentum back in New Zealand’s favour.

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Robertson said that either of McKenzie or Barrett are great bench options, but he is looking for multiple options at the position.

“I think when we gave Beauden a crack, he was great,” Robertson said.

“And as I mentioned before, just tactically, how this game is played, we know either of them are awesome off the bench.

“You know, with Beauden, it’s his chance. You could have two, three 10s in your team that play. Most of the top teams now give the guys opportunities and in this part of the calendar, it’s his.”

Robertson had high praise for Barrett, calling him the “ultimate professional” with his preparation and leadership impressing the new head coach.

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With 131 Test caps under his belt, he is the fourth most capped All Black on all-time and will equal Keven Mealamu in third when he runs out at Twickenham.

“I knew he’s professional, but he’s the ultimate, like day-to-day, his daily habits, his ability to stand up and demand what’s required,” Robertson explained.

“Very articulate and knows the game well. Look, I’ve been impressed in that regard.

“And he’s performed when we have that opportunity, either at the end of games, or now that you know, the last test match in Australia. So he’s had a good week.”

Watch the exclusive reveal-all episode of Walk the Talk with Ardie Savea as he chats to Jim Hamilton about the RWC 2023 experience, life in Japan, playing for the All Blacks and what the future holds. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV

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Comments

1 Comment
D
DS 30 days ago

It's Robertson's call but if NZ intend to dominate world rugby with open running rugby, as Wayne Smith suggests, then Barretts at 10 and 12 is not a great start. DMac really needs to look at other offers but plenty of us will miss his magic at the Chiefs. Bring on the rolling maul -yawn!

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J
JW 58 minutes ago
All Blacks report card: Are Razor's troops heading in the right direction?

perhaps one or two up and coming youngsters who were either capped recently or are uncapped and are targeted for long term eligibility in another nation.

Yes some sort of loyalty needs to be used to stop the Lakai's or Sititi's if they hadn't been signed up in time, from thinking they can leave.


Everyone already thinks that SR is weak because theres no longer anyone to challenge the top 4 kiwi sides, despite them not challenging them for over a decade already, so you might as well take them down to the other 8 teams level?

If the quality of the comp drops then it will lead to slower player development for those who play in this comp. It will lead to lower standards and a lower bar.

I don't really agree with that in and of itself. A competition where more games are contested is going to drive performances up. You just need to ensure there are those with that top level performance experience, like James O'Connor, they don't actually need them do be delivering that performance they're championing.


If the NZ teams were weakened to where all 12 teams were on a comparable level (theres always 4 NZ sides that are still the best in the world) I'd argue that actually increases everyones development. It's just key that players still know what that highest bar is even if theyre not reaching it.


Of course one of the most important aspects is the marketability of the competition as best in world. But as I say until the ABs return to the top noone is going to beleive that of SR so maybe now is a good time to try some changes?

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J
JW 2 hours ago
All Blacks report card: Are Razor's troops heading in the right direction?

First, thinking automatic success comes with succession. I think a heavily hand made succession can work but they need to be a whole lot more ruthless with their processes.


Then, as pointed out in a recent article, by the same author as this one I think, they went with what Razor would these days call the "quarter back" style 10 rather than a facilitator. This, along with a second playmaker, removed all desire to select alround players who have the skill to keep the ball alive and enable those wonderful team try's we used to see. We became 'strike' team with specific focal points, and a reliance on those players.


Two defend those players, and the idea itself I suppose, the two you name in particular were heavily affected by their concussions and the idea they can break a neck playing like they way they were. Neither were anything like that specifically due to injurys imo, this, combined with the same mentality that causes the team not to want to replace a future coach (Foster) with someone better, means they stuck with their man. There is also a heavy amount of fiscal perspective in things like investment in a player that dictated a lack of desire to move sooner (the delay in selecting someone like Mo'unga and using Scott as a 6 in conjunction with Ardie at 7).


Ah, yes, I see that you see. Yeah it was definitely another one of these pretty ideas like succession of coachs wasn't, naming the new 7 as captain, after McCaw. Combined with the look of your next paragraph, I'm going to suggest that again it is one of these 'AB philosophies' that are to blame of sticking with your investments till ruin or bust. I can't remember what injury Read had but there was also a conscious choice to play him tighter and we were robbed by his wide running and passing game by a loss of pace. But both of them were indicative of a lack of investment (by necessity no doubt) in securing talent behind them Lachlan was better than Cane for multiple years before he finally decided to go, guys you knew would deliver to a certain standard like Elliot Dixon, Squire, Robinson, Tuafua, even Messam, were constantly overlooked to play certain All Blacks into the ground and have them needing to be excluded from the start of SR seasons as a result. It's so indicative of now with players like Kirifi stonewalled to give Cane a farewell but more glaring grinding blood our of Ardie for one more performance. Not to mention passing up on players like Sotutu.


I see you have great names as well, fully agree, especially about how that Foster teams run ended. While I don't think you understand the dynamics of what selecting from overseas is likely involve, I'm on board, because I don't really care too much about SR. I'd prefer it if NZR had to do what you suggest and invest in the grass roots and NPC and everyone can turn up to a NPC game without paying a cent because the people involved are there for the love of the game.


Realistically though, and thinking with that All Black mindset of perfection, nothing should change until these problems weve highlighted with the setup, and this current coaches failings, have been fixed. Make the change to opening up when you don't need to open it up, that is the 7 point play to make.

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