Kicked his critics into touch

well, he tends to concentrate all those errors in one or two matches over the test season.

For example, he made just three conversions from eight attempts against France in June and two conversions from six against the Springboks.

Among the more nervous All Blacks fans, it’s not hard to imagine that happening in a World Cup knockout game.

The perception, right or wrong, is that with someone like Dan Carter, you knew what you were going to get.

The familiar, metronomic swing of Carter’s left foot was a reassuring sight for many years for All Blacks fans – if he missed one you knew he’d get the next.

No doubt that’s what Barrett is aiming for. Clearly there has been a lot of work done after that Springboks loss – the improvement is impressive. So, what to make of it all? After the disappointment of the Wellington loss, Barrett started to build the sort of numbers synonymous with world-class goalkickers.

It’s a step in the right direction, even if it’s too early to say he has eradicated the bad nights entirely. Warren Gatland is optimistic he can end his reign as Wales coach with another Six Nations victory.

The Kiwi says a win against France in Paris in their opening match of the tournament on February 1 could propel them to their first Six Nations success since 2013.

That’s despite France losing to Fiji at home late last year in a massive upset.

‘‘I think we’ve got a great chance of winning the Six Nations if we win that opening game, which is going to be our toughest,’’ said Gatland, who will step down after 12 years in charge of Wales after this year’s World Cup.