A leap of faith in Barrett
Steve Hansen didn’t waste the opportunity to drop a bombshell of his own ahead of the World Cup semifinal.
The result from the fallout was splendid news for Scott Barrett, but not so much the in-form Sam Cane.
Coach Hansen stunned All Blacks fans, and he will hope England coach Eddie Jones, by naming Barrett to start at blindside flanker for the first time in his test career when the defending champions play England tomorrow night.
The decision to put Barrett, who has played nearly every minute of his 34 tests at lock, at No 6 has forced a reshuffle in the back row with Ardie Savea shifting to the openside.
Cane, who has been a regular starter at No 7 since Richie McCaw retired after the 2015 World Cup, will be on the bench with Matt Todd unavailable because of a shoulder injury.
Before he got the chance to explain why Cane, who has played 66 tests and been in regal form, had been relegated to the pine Hansen had a more pressing issue to discuss.
Allegations of spying by Jones earlier this week had to be addressed.
While Jones didn’t directly accuse the All Blacks, the inference was someone who had a vested interest in the game had filmed England’s training.
Hansen could have been angry. Instead he turned the issue back on the media, suggesting Jones was simply playing games with the fourth estate.
‘‘Eddie and I both know all is fair in love and war,’’ Hansen said. ‘‘And there is nothing better in war than to throw a wee distraction out. You know you guys can’t resist. Best clickbait in the world.’’
Rather than have a jab at Jones, Hansen suggested England weren’t alone in having their private training sessions invaded by another party during the tournament.
‘‘He talked about it being somebody else,’’ Hansen said after emphasising Jones never accused the All Blacks of dodgy tricks.
Asked if this was playful banter between two coaches who know there is plenty on the line, Hansen replied: ‘‘It’s been good. It allowed us to have a good laugh and be relaxed.’’
The pair, he said had been trading texts but neither of them had fired up at each other about spying accusations or otherwise.
The conversation about the decision to promote Barrett to No 6, and leave Cane out of the starting side was tame by comparison.
Hansen was adamant Cane had not paid the price for playing poorly.
Instead, it’s clear he wants to bulk up his forward pack against the hefty English pack; the athletic Barrett offers another tall lineout option, and is a handy ball carrier.
The fact the All Blacks also have another lock on the bench in Patrick Tuipulotu suggests they want to go toe-to-toe with the English forwards before asking Cane to join the fray and lift the tempo in the second half.
‘‘I am not going to go too much into that [the selection] because otherwise we are giving Eddie some information he is able to work out pretty quickly himself,’’ Hansen said.
‘‘I would rather he would have to work it out.
‘‘It’s not form, Sam Cane is playing lovely rugby.’’