The key behind Quinn Tupaea and Jordie Barrett's growing chemistry

All Blacks midfielder Quinn Tupaea has described the growth of his combination with Jordie Barrett since the first three Test matches under head coach Dave Rennie.

Tupaea and Barrett played in the No.12 and No.13 jerseys in 2025 under former head coach Scott Robertson, before starting the France and Ireland Tests in those same positions in 2026.

The Chiefs midfielder was dropped after the first Nations Championship Test against France in Christchurch, being replaced by Hurricanes centre Billy Proctor.

Rennie then opted for the Tupaea-Barrett combination for the all-important Ireland Test at Eden Park on Saturday, where the two seemed to combine more effectively than in previous outings.

Discussing his combination with Barrett on Sport Nation’s Millsy & Guy, the reigning Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year said he had to adjust after his first Test of the season.

“You know, just after the France Test, I wasn’t disappointed with how I played, but I knew I could play better and I sort of simplified it. And that’s when I play at my best,” Tupaea said.

“I’m physical on both sides of the ball. Rennie demands a high work rate, getting yourself in positions to attack, but then come forward on defence.

“I was pretty stoked with how I played, and I guess just that combination with Jordie, you might have noticed I took a lot more carries off the lineouts and scrums, trying to get us to the go-forward.

“Which also frees up Jordie’s second and third phase to win the line and free up our first fives and our wingers. So we have the balance there.”

When asked about some of his discussions with Barrett, the 27-year-old Chiefs midfielder explained that the decision-making process is collaborative, and a key to their combination is being on the same page.

“Yeah, look, we challenge each other most places. To be fair, because as a centre, I want to get to a certain spot, and then he wants to get to a certain spot as a 12.

“So by the time the ball goes in, we’re on the same page. But on the setup, we’re seeing things differently depending on where the scrum is or other part of the field, it’s a connection thing at the moment.

“Like I think it’s working well with the 9-10-12 from the Hurricanes because they played the whole season together; they are sort of in sync there where you throw myself in there with them I’m just trying to learn off them and what they like.

“So there’s a lot of debating going on out there. But once that ball goes on, we’re on the same page.”

Tupaea then provided insight into some of the roles under Rennie in the centre jersey, explaining some specific scenarios on the field.

“Yeah, so set piece-wise, you’ve got to talk to everyone. So normally the 12 and 13 make a call on what we’re doing, what structures we’re running.

“You’ve got to come see your forward pack and wingers for where you want them to get to, and sort of goes along the chain like that. So when the ball comes out, everyone knows who’s supposed to get the ball.

“In phase play, you work a lot with loose-forwards and the locks. So just trying to dominate them where you want them to get to. They can often get isolated on rucks, and I want to say tight for the ruck, but yeah, we need them a little bit wider to help with each play.

“Talking to lots of loosies, working with them, working with the open winger. We’ve got calls where the fullback will want to come in and get last or second last.

“So everyone’s on the same page there. It’s a lot of communication out there, and sometimes you can get loud, so looks with your eyes and hand movements are key as well.”