Barrett takes on lead role
Don’t try and tell Beauden Barrett he’s now kind of a big deal in these All Blacks.
Not his style. Not his modus operandi. Like most things the influential No 10 does these days, his official leadership upgrade in the back-to-back world champions is taken with a shrug of the shoulders, a smile on the dial and a general reflection that it’s ‘‘no big deal’’.
Barrett’s status in the national squad went up another peg in London with confirmation the 26-year-old, 59-test playmaker was the designated leader in the absence of regular skipper Kieran Read (one of a half-dozen who will only arrive on Friday) for the first week of the November tour.
That had been officially bestowed pre-departure and then rubber-stamped when the All Blacks touched down in London and, literally, got their feet wet with some dragon boat racing on the Thames.
‘‘We had a meeting before we left with everybody and Reado set out the expectations he wanted for the week,’’ said coach Steve Hansen in London. ‘‘Beaudy is the vice-captain, so he’ll drive the team from a captain’s point of view this week, but whether he plays or not we’ll wait and see. He’s the head leader at the moment in the group on the ground.’’
The reality is that Barrett is unlikely to be asked to start at Twickenham, with Hansen looking to give as many of his non-test regulars an opportunity to both press their claims and soak up some international experience. To that end Lima Sopoaga should get another run at No 10, with either Damian McKenzie or Barrett backing him up, depending on the longterm plan.
Barrett, who is fit and available after a head knock ruled him out of Bledisloe III in Brisbane, was adopting very much a business as usual mindset when he spoke about his leadership upgrade soon after touching down in London.
‘‘Steve gave me the headsup, and it’s exciting,’’ he said. ‘‘But the team hasn’t been named so I don’t know where that fits into the whole match day 15 or 23. I’ll just continue to do what I do as player preparing for a test match.’’
Flanker Sam Cane, who has captained the All Blacks on two occasions, described it as a great honour, but something Barrett would take in his stride.
‘‘A lot of times after training in huddles Kieran has the final say, so that might fall on Beaudy’s shoulders a bit more,’’ said Cane who will be Barrett’s unofficial No 2 through the first week with Read and Sam Whitelock both getting some well deserved family time.
‘‘But he often chips in anyway because has a big say in how our attack runs and how we play the game. Maybe there will be a wee bit more voice than normal but not a heck of a lot.
‘‘It’s pretty special, and something you don’t think about a lot as a player when you set your goals,’’ added Cane of the captaincy. ‘‘Most time leadership is something you grow into over time, and hopefully Baz gets the chance to lead us out there.’’
Barrett was especially looking forward to the chance to go up against his Hurricanes and former All Blacks team-mate Julian Savea who was confirmed as one of the first draft of seven Kiwis playing in Saturday’s clash.
Savea, of course, has been demoted from the All Blacks and challenged to have ‘‘a big offseason’’ and come back in 2018 and win back his spot in the national squad.
‘‘I’ve never been in the opposition against Julian so that will be exciting if I get the opportunity,’’ added Barrett. ‘‘There will be a bit of chat flying around no doubt, but that adds to the excitement of the game. We all love the way the Barbarians play, because you never know what to expect.’’
Whether Hansen finds room for 20-year-old tour rookie and Wellington hooker sensation Asafo Aumua remains to be seen. But Barrett was happy to provide his endorsement of the rising young star at the end of a breakthrough year in New Zealand rugby.
‘‘I first met Asafo in the Hurricanes changing-room when he sat between me and TJ [Perenara]. He was so quiet, and I was wondering who he was and where he came from. It seemed like he was fresh out of high school, but out on the training paddock he carved up.
‘‘We were told he’d been held back and wasn’t allowed to play. We were like ‘gee, sign him up quick, because he’s pretty good’. He’s exciting, and if he gets an opportunity I can’t wait to see him go. But he’s just a kid too so we can’t put mountains of pressure on him.’’
Hansen, though, said this first week, with the pressure down just a little, presented as an ideal chance for some of those who hadn’t seen a lot of test action this year apply some pressure for more opportunities on this trip.