Barrett has Foster’s backing for Bledisloe opener
If Beauden Barrett is feeling any pressure from the rise and rise of Richie Mo’unga as a rival for the No 10 jersey, then his All Blacks backs coach has certainly not noticed.
Ian Foster yesterday provided a ringing endorsement of not just Barrett’s suitability to continue as the All Blacks’ starting first five-eighth for Saturday’s Bledisloe opener in Sydney, and beyond, but also of his steely mindset around the task at hand.
Sure, there is a growing clamour of support from outside that Mo’unga is now a legitimate alternative to start tests for the All Blacks based on his meteoric Super Rugby season; but equally there is a comfort within that the 65-test Barrett remains the right option for the team in the playmaking role for now.
The All Blacks have a couple of tight selection calls to make for Saturday, mainly around who partners Ryan Crotty in midfield (likely Jack Goodhue) and who joins Ben Smith and Rieko Ioane in the back three (Jordie Barrett a slight favourite, ahead of Waisake Naholo).
But Foster made it clear that No 10 was not one of their headscratchers.
‘‘You get lots of chatter in this game, and it comes and goes,’’ said Foster after confirming he had not felt the need to speak to Barrett about his situation. ‘‘I see the chatter as being a positive one. The fact Richie has put his hand up and nailed a great campaign and had his first test match time in June, we think is a massive positive for us.
‘‘But I don’t think that impacts on Beaudy. He just has got to do what he does. He has done an amazing job for this team ever since he came in the squad. He has a job to do, and he has to go back to preparing the way does.’’
But Foster stopped short of saying that the competition from Mo’unga could be just what the Barrett, 27, needed to take his game to the next level.
Foster was also giving little away on his two selection hotspots for Saturday night, describing midfield and the back three as ‘‘competitive areas’’ that were being evaluated carefully.
He did concede that Crusaders youngster Jack Goodhue had made a strong case in the absence of midfield stalwart Sonny Bill Williams.
‘‘He’s just getting better and better. He has come through a Super season in which he was used extremely physically in the first part, then as it went on he was able to play a bit wider and a little more like how we’d expect a centre to play.’’
Foster also spoke about the few extra kilos Jordie Barrett was carrying this season, and whether it allowed him to play with more physicality.
‘‘He’s looking good and sharp, and certainly he plays physical. He’s got that attitude where he just wants to go hard at things. A few extra kgs is probably just to protect him from his own attitude.’’
The All Blacks 23 for the Bledisloe opener will be revealed tomorrow.