Barrett has form

ANDREW Mehrtens and Carlos Spencer. Grant Fox and Frano Botica. Mac Herewini and Earle Kirton. Beauden Barrett and Aaron Cruden. The latest in a rich history of familiar debates about preferred All Blacks’ conductors is as engrossing as ever.

Mehrtens and Spencer split Auckland and Canterbury, with barbs echoing across the Cook Strait. The Cruden-Barrett scenario has caused similar divided loyalties at various times.

Those in Cruden’s camp argue he waited patiently behind Dan Carter for a number of years; helped guide the Chiefs to successive titles in 2012/13 and his ploy of popping in an out of firstreceiver keeps defences constantly guessing.

Those who favour Barrett point to his much-improved goal kicking, Midas touch and ability to make things happen; his anticipation, vision, running game and pure speed.

In reality the All Blacks are blessed with three genuine test quality first five-eighths. It’s easy to forget Lima Sopoaga, third choice as it stands, guided the Highlanders to the Super Rugby title last year and had his moments of class again this season. What any other nation would give for those options.

But for next week’s opening Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney, there appears only one choice: Barrett.

Cruden has the edge in terms of test experience, having started 25 tests in the commander role as opposed to Barrett’s seven. But that’s about where this debate ends.

Steve Hansen has proven time and again to be an intensely loyal selector - regularly reinstating injured players who previously performed for him.

Above all else, though, Hansen is loyal to his team. That means picking the best, especially in a high-stakes match such as this where the Wallabies probably feel they have their best chance of knocking over the world champions, with memories still fresh of their World Cup final loss.

Barrett’s form this season has been nothing short of sublime; his influence on the Welsh series there for all to see.

Once Cruden departed the second test in Wellington after injuring his neck, Barrett seized his chance, and did so again the following week in Dunedin from both first-five and fullback.

Therein lies the crux of the issue. In the All Blacks environment, Barrett has long been viewed as an impact player - the theory being he could come on and drastically alter momentum while offering unmatched utility value from the bench.

But after knocking on the door for a number of years, Barrett stepped up his game significantly to kick it in this year, leading the Hurricanes to their maiden Super Rugby title in the process. Control? Tick. Temperament? Tick. Game-breaking skill? In abun-

Barrett stepped up his game significantly.’

dance. How could you not be wowed by some of his magical plays?

The truth of it is right now you want Barrett touching the ball as much as possible. He is wasted in a cameo role, and can easily be shifted back to fullback later in a match to provide that same impact if required.

Barrett’s consistency has been so compelling that, for the first time in his international career, he seems impossible to overlook.

The other selection conundrum for Hansen is in the midfield. Ryan Crotty will start at second-five but his partner at centre is a choice between Malakai Fekitoa and George Moala. Moala enjoyed 62-minutes at centre in the All Blacks hit-out against Counties Manukau and Northland on Friday night.