Laurie Mains backing Barrett as ABs first-five
LAURIE Mains says Beauden Barrett should be the All Blacks’ No 10, but has given them a ‘‘moderate pass’’ in the wake of their 50 per cent success rate under new coach Ian Foster.
‘‘Personally, I prefer Beauden Barrett at first five-eighth,’’ Mains told Sunday News.
‘‘In the situations where you are under a great deal of pressure, he just seems to have that uncanny knack of creating something to take the pressure off the rest of his backline.
‘‘Now that is no criticism of Richie Mo’unga, who is a fabulous rugby player, but in those real pressure situations Barrett seems to be able to create a little bit more.’’
Mains, ABs coach between 1992-95, said even when taking into account the chaos caused by the pandemic, the All Blackswill know their 2020 record opens them up to scrutiny.
‘‘It has been a very difficult and unusual season for them, but I would give them amoderate pass. They have achieved what they set out to, in that they retained the Bledisloe Cup and the Tri Nations, but there would be parts of their game that they will probably want to improve.’’
But NZ Rugby shouldn’tmake the mistake of judging the team’s season solely on trophies. Foster, as much as anyone, will accept three wins and a draw from six tests, albeit during a season disrupted by Covid-19, didn’t reach the high standards expected of the All Blacks.
The first-ever defeat to the Pumas, as well as a loss and draw to the Wallabies, contributed to amodest winning ratio and overshadowed the record 43-5 victory over the Aussies in Sydney.
Although the All Blacks exacted revenge on the Pumas with a comprehensive 38-0 victory in Newcastle, concerns about defensive frailties under pressure and the forwards’ inability to match the Pumas’ fire in the historical 25-15 loss, remain.
The consensus among the rugby community is the All Blacks, given their up-and-down season, were lucky the world champion Springboks refused to play their Sanzaar stablemates.
Contracted to the end of 2021, Foster will have to extract better results next year if he’s to convince NZ Rugby he should be signed through to the 2023 World Cup in France.
Mains said it was clear the All Blacks must be better, andwhile impressed with new captain and openside flanker Sam Cane, he believed the forwards had the most to prove next year – even if Foster tinkered with selections.
‘‘It is year one for them, and they need to be finding out which players will be fitting into their pattern. They are very much entitled to do a little bit of experimenting.’’
Yet, for many of us, there remain unanswered questions aboutwhat the perfect All Blacks’ cocktail should be. And whether Foster, himself, knows its vital ingredients.
While Fostermade three changes to the forwards for the final test against the Pumas, bringing in tighthead prop Nepo Laulala, lock Scott Barrett and blindside flanker Akira Ioane, the backline remained untouched.
Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett stayed at No 10 and 15 respectively, and Jordie Barrett was, again, preferred on the right wing.
The Mo’unga-Barrett combination, a hangover from last year’s World Cup, ensured Foster could field dual playmakers, but Mains believed Barrett would offer more value
It has been a very difficult and unusual season for them, but I would give them a moderate pass.’