'It's tough for him': All Blacks reveal plan for Beauden Barrett on South African tour

All Blacks head coach has revealed the plan for first five Beauden Barrett with the veteran set to play the first game of the tour.

Barrett was the first choice starter under Robertson last year but the 144-Test veteran did not feature across the July Nations Championships fixtures with the All Blacks preferring Ruben Love to start and using Damian McKenzie as cover from fullback.

Rennie said it was “tough for him” to sit out the July fixtures but he proved to be the ultimate professional guiding the others in preparation.

“Well, Beauden will start against the Stormers. There you go. There’s a little leg up,” Rennie confirmed to media at this week’s squad announcement.

“So, look, I’ve said it before, but Beauden has really impressed me. He’s training superbly. His contribution has been excellent. Very professional.

“He’s been incredibly supportive of Ruben, you know, and and it’s tough for him because he’s probably trained well enough to get an opportunity, but we just felt that Ruben needed time in the seat, and he’s done a really good job there.

“So Beauden will get his opportunity against the Stormers, which is exciting and he’s he’s keen to rip in.”

Despite not playing as the third option at No.10, the selectors added a fourth option to the touring squad in Chiefs’ No.10 Josh Jacomb.

Even returning All Black Richie Mo’unga is still a chance to join the group, with Rennie confirming they will monitor him during his return to NPC this week.

“Oh, there’s a chance,” Rennie said of Mo’unga.

“He’ll play for Canterbury this weekend, and then once he’s done that, if we have an injury at 10, then he’s an option to come.”

With only three halfbacks selected with an extra 10 in Josh Jacomb, Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham missed out altogether.

Rennie said that wing Leroy Carter can cover halfback at a stretch and that Hotham was the “obvious” fourth option.

“Obviously, Noah Hotham’s the obvious choice as the fourth halfback, and if we were to get an injury, then then we’d bring in a replacement,” Rennie said.

“But Cam’s [Roigard] had a lot of footy. We’re keen to get a lot more rugby into the other two boys, and and so they’ll share a big chunk of the load in the first three weeks.”