ABs stick with dual playmakers
TOKYO: Beauden Barrett will start at fullback for the All Blacks in their World Cup pool B opener against South Africa in Yokohama tomorrow night after coach Steve Hansen retained Richie Mo’unga at first fiveeighth.
Barrett has played most of his career at pivot but has been shifted to fullback this year in order to accommodate Mo’unga, although he did start the All Blacks’ final 927 warmup win over Tonga in the No 10 jersey.
Hansen has often trumpeted the quality of his extended squad and the ability of players to adapt.
For Barrett, that means facing a likely barrage of high balls against a South African side eager to pressure an All Black back three which includes inexperienced wingers George Bridge and Sevu Reece, who have only eight caps between them.
‘‘Any combination of players in our squad could have justified their selection. But in the end we believe the 23 we have selected is the right group for this opposition,’’ Hansen said.
The world champion is without lock Brodie Retallick, who was injured in the 1616 Rugby Championship draw with the Springboks in July. Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett make up the secondrow pairing.
Scott Barrett will tomorrow once again face Jerome Garces, the referee who sent him off in the recent 4726 loss to Australia in Perth.
Ardie Savea will wear the No 6 jersey, with Sam Cane and captain Kieran Read the other loose forwards.
Ryan Crotty and Anton LienertBrown are the centre pairing, with Sonny Bill Williams on the bench.
After recovering from a broken thumb, Crotty played his first test of the year against Tonga and Hansen believes his allround contribution is wellsuited for the Boks.
‘‘Ryan has come back and played very well against Tonga. He is a leader in the group and has an excellent kicking game,’’ Hansen said. ‘‘LB [LienertBrown] has been the inform midfielder for the last six months.
‘‘In today’s rugby environment, you need to have the mindset that it’s not just about who starts, it’s also about what the players coming off the bench can provide.
‘‘As an example, we have a great onetwo punch with Dane [Coles] and Codie [Taylor] at hooker and Aaron [Smith] and TJ [Perenara] at halfback.’’ — Reuters
It’s not just about who starts, it’s also about what the players coming off the bench can provide
Steve Hansen
SAPPORO: England must be disciplined and adaptable at the World Cup given the push to eliminate high tackles and ongoing debate over the rules of the breakdown, defence coach John Mitchell said yesterday before his side’s opener against underdog Tonga.
Governing body World Rugby’s new guidelines have put referees under scrutiny over how they deal with high and dangerous contact, and led to concerns the tournament may result in a shower of red cards.
The changes have already had an impact.
All Black Scott Barrett was redcarded, and subsequently banned for three weeks, for a high tackle on Wallaby Michael Hooper last month, a decision England coach Eddie Jones called ‘‘ridiculous’’.
Mitchell said yesterday his side’s discipline should keep it on the right side of the law regardless of refereeing interpretations.
‘‘At the end of the day we are very strong on discipline . . . and the elements that referees talk about and focus on, we are very clear on those areas,’’ he said.
‘‘So what’s important to do is to make sure your own strengths can still come out but be prepared to adapt as well, and recognise what referees are addressing, and the opposition are doing, in the course of a match.
‘‘You have to be careful not to premeditate and be flexible.’’
The New Zealander added referees had been collaborating closely before the tournament, which should help consistency.
Mitchell said there was a real danger of overloading the players in terms of second guessing how referees would act and approach issues such as letting a tackler stay in the game at the breakdown.
‘‘The world is full of lots of information,’’ he added. ‘‘You have to be very, very careful that you do not cloud your players.
‘‘We feel we consistently train the right action but this is a game of force and speed, and timing is not always right.’’ — Reuters