Barrett backed to lift his game
Watch out for Jordie Barrett on Saturday.
The All Blacks fullback hasn’t played since a mixed outing against South Africa in Wellington, where an ill-conceived quick lineout contributed to a 36-34 defeat. The 21-year-old has been working hard behind the scenes and appears poised to start in the No 15 jumper against Japan in Tokyo.
With the first-stringers flying out for London tomorrow, a mixture of new and old faces will remain to comprise a 23 that might have a strong Hurricanes flavour, including Barrett.
‘‘All players, but particularly young players, they just want to play and it’s not easy for them when they don’t get picked, but he’s been massively impressive. We’ve challenged him on how he learns and how he gathers information about the game and how he operates and, quite frankly, he’s done a great job,’’ All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster said of Barrett.
‘‘Let’s not deny the fact we still love his instincts. There’s a natural talent about him that we don’t want to curb too much,’’ Foster said. ‘‘But, clearly, on the international stage you’ve got to have a little bit more discipline in some parts of the game, which he’s been working on.’’
Barrett looks likely to join Nehe Milner-Skudder and Waisake Naholo in Saturday’s back-three, with Matt Proctor and Ngani Laumape the potential midfield. Richie Mo’unga and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi appear the probable halves, with captain Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt and Vaea Fifita to make up the loose forward trio.
The squad look destined to have Patrick Tuipulotu as the only specialist lock. Fifita and Jackson Hemopo both play their Super Rugby at lock, though, so one might be a flanker against Japan and the other partner Tuipulotu in the second row.
The front row of Ofa Tuungafasi, Dane Coles and Tim Perry then pick themselves.
Japan warmed up for this game by losing 31-28 to a World XV last week, having been down 31-7.
‘‘The way they came back was very impressive. They stuck to a ball-in-hand game in the wet conditions and got their ruck and run game going, which we know they do, and really looked very impressive the way they held on and came back strong,’’ Foster said.
The overall speed and intent of the Japan team caught Foster’s eye, but there was a former Chiefs No 8 who stood out too.
‘‘It’s hard to look past Michael Leitch as a rugby player.
‘‘I know we know him well through Super Rugby, but he’s massively impressive the way he leads and you can just tell he wants to be involved in everything and clearly he’s an inspirational player in that team,’’ said Foster.