Jordie dejected in the end
From nervous to dejected, All Blacks fullback Jordie Barrett went through a broad sweep of emotions on the day of his test debut, not that you’d know from how he played.
Barrett, 20, was handed the 15 jersey for the series decider, opening his test career in a white-hot atmosphere at Eden Park against a British and Irish Lions squad hell bent on ending 46 years of outs.
The enormity of the task hit him on when he was named for the match, the third fullback the All Blacks have started in the series after Ben Smith was injured, then Israel Dagg moved to the wing.
‘‘There was a bit of doubt, I was very nervous throughout the week, it was probably the first time in a while that I’ve been been that nervous for a game,’’ he said.
‘‘The waiting on Saturday was killing me. Once the whistle went it was fine, but there was a lot of anticipation and plenty of nerves.’’
He made a sterling debut, in the first half flipping a cross kick from brother Beauden back infield like a cricket boundary fielder for second five Ngani Laumape to score.
After that cameo the younger Barrett latched on to the end of a bust inspired by a Laumape offload to score himself. And late in the game it seemed he was headed for the match-winning try, only to be denied by scrambling Lions defence.
When the final whistle blew, he was not inclined to pat himself on the back. It was bleak out there, he said.
‘‘Immediately after the whistle there was obviously a bit of dejection from both teams. It felt as though we put ourselves in the position to win the game, and we didn’t do that, obviously there was a bit of disappointment, so then again we sort of got over it pretty quick.’’
Attack coach Ian Foster praised both Barrett and his Hurricanes backline partner in arms Laumape, whose offload in the Barrett try echoed the suspended Sonny Bill Williams, the man he replaced at second five.
Barrett’s courage under the high ball was called into question by the Lions inside backs, proving to be of test standard as he soared and secured He had a busy night at the back.
‘‘It can be a bit of a blessing, and a bit of a burden at times if you don’t handle it so well,’’ he said. ‘‘I felt it was going so quick, just because there was so much involvement, and I didn’t really have time to connect with other players at times, it felt like a blur it was happening so fast.’’
Only his goalkicking was not tested, as big brother Beauden stuck with it, landing 50 per cent of his shots.
‘‘We sorted it at Thursday training. He is the main kicker in the team, he was comfortable in his role,’’ Jordie Barrett said, who offered he’d still like to play in the midfield, where he starred in age group rugby.
That caused Laumape to raise his eyebrows and laugh: ‘‘probably I’m out of a job if he comes to the midfield.’’
Both Hurricanes are expected to be back in Super Rugby action this coming weekend, against the Crusaders at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
Laumape felt what he’d learned with the All Blacks would help him in his return to Super Rugby.
‘‘I feel like I will go back with a lot more knowledge, and a lot more belief in myself.’’