ABs win puts rivals on notice At a glance

After a showcase performance and a statement victory, it is fair to say the All Blacks’ most gifted player is a little excited. Beauden Barrett knows a good thing coming together when he sees it.

Barrett, who is fast transforming from the best first five-eighth on the planet to damn near the premier fullback, was happy to rattle off the positive aspects of the Rugby World Cup 23-13 victory over the Springboks at International Stadium in Yokohama on Saturday night.

Like the continued evolution of the All Blacks’ attack of the rush defence, like tactical kicking adjustments, like Sevu Reece, like Richie Mo’unga and, first and foremost, like his own gradual assimilation into his role as an ‘‘influencer’’ of the best rugby team in the business.

From where Barrett sits, there’s a lot to get excited about as the All Blacks survived arguably their toughest ever test in pool play at the global tournament and delivered a result that puts the watching rugby world on notice.

You can huff and puff all you want about the New Zealanders’ so-called vulnerability and diminished aura, but Saturday’s display demonstrated palpably that all roads to the Webb Ellis Cup run through New Zealand. This is a quality Boks outfit and by their coach’s own admission they were a deserved second in their pool-opening matchup.

‘‘It was a good performance after a shaky start,’’ Barrett said after the match which continued the All Blacks’ perfect record in pool play at the global gathering. ‘‘The boys were on edge and really keen – probably too keen at the start – but once we settled things down we got into our game and created some great opportunities for our kick-chase and put them under pressure.’’

Barrett offered a chilling New Zealand 23 (George Bridge, Scott Barrett tries; Richie Mo’unga 2 cons 2pens; Beauden Barrett pen) South Africa 13 (PieterSteph du Toit try; Handre Pollard con pen drop goal).

thought after a match in which both he and Mo’unga (‘‘Bo’unga’’, they’ve been called) left their imprint all over it: is it not now obvious that Steve Hansen’s much squawked-about dual playmaker system is starting to morph into something special.

‘‘[Wellington, this year] was the first time we’ve played together, so it’s only going to get better. I love playing with Rich, he’s a super talent.’’

Put on the spot, Barrett was pretty sure that peak was still to come from he and his fellow ballplayer. ‘‘We’ve got a lot more potential in us, which is what’s so exciting,’’ he said.

The 28-year-old spoke about his vast upgrade in responsibility since the last World Cup, and confirmed that’s a state of affairs he’s more than content about.

‘‘We had so many senior players who have moved on since 2015, there’s a great new bunch of guys who have worked hard leading into this event.

‘‘It’s a great opportunity for us, and myself in a more senior role, to get excited about playing well for the All Blacks here at the World Cup.

‘‘But from my point of view it doesn’t change whether I’m playing at first five-eighth, or not. As an influencer of the game I want to be as demanding as I can.’’

Assistant coach Ian Foster spoke of an influence that’s been building for a while. ‘‘He’s a key part of our strategy group, the way he prepares, and I know how focused he is on playing well.

‘‘He’s working well in growing the confidence of other guys in our team to make decisions, he’s helping Richie grow in the position he’s in.’’