Jordie bounces back
A week that started rather sketchily has taken a decided turn for the better for Jordie Barrett.
Barrett is included alongside older brothers Beauden and Scott for the first time in an All Blacks starting XV, to face France in their June series opener at Eden Park on Saturday night.
The trio have appeared together in the 23 for two tests previously, in last year’s season opener against Samoa and the third clash against the British and Irish Lions. A shoulder injury removed Jordie from the latter part of the international season in 2017.
Jordie, 21, has been named to start the test at fullback, with back-to-back world player of the year Beauden in his customary No 10 spot and Scott slotting in for his 17th cap alongside new skipper Sam Whitelock in the second row. It will be yet another special night for proud parents Kevin and Robyn as they venture up from the Taranaki to take in the latest chapter of this remarkable family sporting fairytale.
It will also cap a week that did not quite start so rosily for Barrett when he joined the All Blacks in Auckland last Sunday accompanied by the news that he had been involved in a late-night incident in Dunedin a day or so earlier when he and a friend choosing the wrong house in which to eat their fast-food, and police being called.
Hansen said at the time it was a ‘‘genuine mistake’’, though ‘‘not a good professional choice’’ with the youngster being out so late prior to assembling for a test. But he made it clear he would not be sanctioned. ‘‘He won’t get reprimanded for anything other than being stupid,’’ said Hansen.
He has been as good as his word, elevating Jordie for just his third test cap, and second start, after he had made such a good fist of filling in for the injured Ben Smith in last year’s Lions series decider, also at Eden Park.
The back-three reshuffle – with Smith moving to the right wing – is probably the most contentious decision in a mostly predictable 23, with Jordie being preferred ahead of in-form Highlanders wing Waisake Naholo who played so well in the No 14 jersey on last November’s tour and has been in blistering form in Super Rugby.
But Hansen is enamoured with the athletic and rugby potential of the 1.96m Jordie who is part of a back three oozing allround skill, aerial ability and creative nous. They lose little by moving the versatile and dependable Smith to the right wing.
In the other key run-on selections, the reliable Anton Lienert-Brown is deservedly promoted to start in midfield (at No 13) in the absence of the injured Sonny Bill Williams, with Ryan Crotty shifting to his preferred second five-eighth position; rugged Highlanders forward Luke Whitelock gets the nod in the contestable No 8 spot to join his own brother’s special night; and Scott Barrett slots in ahead of experienced Crusaders team-mate Luke Romano for the injured Brodie Retallick at lock.
On the bench there are two notable calls: the versatile Vaea Fifita will cover blindside and lock, while exciting Hurricanes midfielder Ngani Laumape lands the outside backs cover spot.
Chiefs prop Karl Tu’inukuafe, a one-time 170kg security guard who turned to rugby to get regain his health, will also complete a dream season by making his test debut if he gets the callup off the bench at loosehead prop.