Jordie needs time – Hansen
Steve Hansen has not given up on Jordie Barrett. Far from it. It’s just that the All Blacks coach is adamant this Bledisloe opener against a desperate Wallabies outfit is a good test for the young man to miss.
Hansen’s selection of Waisake Naholo on the right wing to complete a power back three alongside Rieko Ioane and Ben Smith was a feature of his lineup to take on the Wallabies at ANZ Stadium tomorrow night.
The 21-year-old younger of the three Barrett siblings in this squad had started at fullback for the first two tests against France in June, with the versatile Smith switching to the right wing.
But after failing to set the world on fire then, and seeing out an unflattering campaign with the Hurricanes in midfield, Hansen said it had been decided Barrett would benefit more by some time to regroup and reflect, than being thrown into the Bledisloe cauldron.
‘‘It’s an ongoing process with Jordie,’’ said the All Blacks coach. ‘‘He’s a young player, we were happy with what we got against France, but we just think it’s time now to take him back out, let him have a reflection on that and also give Wise [Naholo] an opportunity to show us what he’s made of. It also lets us put Bender back to fullback.
‘‘It’s a combination of those three things – the continued development of Jordie and giving Wise an opportunity to play in a big game we think will suit him.’’
Hansen denied that Barrett’s lack of time at fullback for the Hurricanes counted against him, but confirmed they were looking at the possibility of using him on the wing in the future.
Asked if Naholo was a ‘‘form’’ selection, Hansen trotted out a stock answer before indicating a long-term World Cup-type view had been taken with Barrett.
‘‘We’re not in a situation where we need to rush him. We want to grow him at the right speed and we don’t want him to lose his confidence either. He’s learning a lot about what All Blacks rugby and test rugby are all about, and we felt this one was a good one for him not to play in and a good one for Wise to play in.
‘‘You’ve got to trust your own instincts on that. We think it’s better for him long-term to slow that process down, let him have a Steve Hansen on Jordie Barrett
breather and not put him under too much pressure too early in his career.’’
The selection of in-form Crusader Jack Goodhue to start at centre was a much easier one for Hansen, helped significantly by the pedigree of the more experienced Anton Lienert-Brown.
‘‘Ryan [Crotty] and Jack have played a lot of footy together and Alby [Lienert-Brown] has come off the bench a lot for us, so we felt we liked what Alby does off the bench, he’s used to it and we’re starting with a combination that’s really rock solid and played most of the season together.’’
The return of skipper Kieran Read and 68-test lock Brodie Retallick from significant spells out of the test arena also gave the All Blacks a much harder edge for the anticipated Wallabies challenge. The Australians have been broiling for a long time on their Bledisloe ignominy, and the All Blacks are anticipating the kitchen sink coming their way tomorrow night.
‘‘It’s exciting having someone of Kieran’s ability in the lineout, his ball-carrying strength, and under pressure he’s been there and done that. It’s a massive asset to have him, and you can chuck Guzzler [Retallick] in there as well, and probably Sam Cane who didn’t have a big French series.’’
Hansen continued his recent policy of flattering the Wallabies with rampant praise.
‘‘They’re a good side, they’ve improved a heck of a lot, and done a lot of hard work on running lines and core set-piece roles. Their scrum has got better, they look to have quickened their lineout and their kicking game is good,’’ Hansen said.
‘‘It’s going to be a good, gutsy test match and Australia are a better side than some people give them credit for.’’
‘‘We want to grow him at the right speed and we don’t want him to lose his confidence either.’’