Ian Foster has stopped short of anointing Jordie Barrett as his No 12 for the World Cup, but the All Blacks coach certainly wants to see more from his long, strong backline utility in his new midfield role, starting with this weekend’s test against Wales at Principality Stadium.
Barrett’s inclusion at second five-eighths, alongside established centre Rieko Ioane in the midfield, is the feature of Foster’s lineup to face Wales under the roof in Cardiff on Sunday (4.15am kickoff NZ time). It includes just three enforced changes to the side that run out on Eden Park on September 24 to wrap up the Rugby Championship with a 40-14 victory over Australia – Scott Barrett slotting in at lock for the suspended Brodie Retallick, a fit-again Shannon Frizell returning at No 6 and Sevu Reece replacing the absent Will Jordan on the right wing.
That test featured Jordie Barrett’s first test start at No 12 and his success in tandem with Ioane has persuaded Foster he needs to see more of the power-packed midfield before making a definitive decision on his preferred pairing.
’It’s a continuation of the strategy at Eden Park,” explained Foster on a zoom call with media from Cardiff. “He played really well in his first start at 12, and I said at the time we were impressed and would likely try it again. This is a chance to give him a run against some different type of defence systems in the north. It’s a reward for that Eden Park performance and continues to build our depth in the midfield.”
Foster admitted the 1.96m, 95kg youngest of his three Barrett brothers brought some intriguing qualities to the No 12 position. He has also started tests for the All Blacks at fullback (24 of his 34 starts have been at No 15), on both wings and at No 10.
”He’s confident, he’s physical, and he’s got a good skillset in that space in terms of his passing and kicking,” added the All Blacks coach. “He’s just a slightly different style to David [Havili]. We’ve built David’s combination with Rieko through the Rugby Championship, and were delighted with where that finished up. His injury opened the door for Jordie, and we were impressed the way he played.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Jordie Barrett was outstanding in his first test start for the All Blacks at No 12 against the Wallabies at Eden Park.
“We’re delighted with the options we’re growing. I think David gives us one choice of game and Jordie gives us another one, and that’s great for us going forward.”
Foster said though he had been late to look at the towering back at No 12 this year, it had always been on their to-do list.
ALL BLACKS
The All Blacks coach explains why he’s stuck with the Barrett-Ioane midfield.
“We know he’s really competent at 12, we’d been inserting him there at training throughout the year, and sometimes opportunity knocks in different ways and the key thing is he went out and took it. We think he deserves a reward for that performance.”
But the coach also made it clear he still saw the No 12 spot as “contestable” heading towards next year’s World Cup in France.
“We wanted to build some combinations through the Rugby Championship, and I think we did that. Like happens in test rugby, injury or circumstance opens doors for someone else, and when they take it, it’s just a matter of revising your thinking. I don’t think it shows a change of direction. We were delighted with where Davey finished up and you’ll see him back in that jersey at some point.”
Barrett, for his part, is rapt to get another crack at a No 12 spot he is clearly intrigued by.
“I loved the game at Eden Park, but it’s a long time ago now, and this is a fresh opportunity against a different beast at their home ground,” he told media in Cardiff. “It’s nice to get given the opportunity again.
Greg Bowker/Getty Images
Jordie Barrett: ‘This is a fresh opportunity at No 12 against a different beast at their home ground.”
”I guess you’re just always in the action (at 12). I love defensive aspects on both sides of the ball, and you just feel like you’re always in the game. In some ways I’m quite familiar with it.”
Foster, meanwhile, explained his selection of Codie Taylor as starting hooker ahead of the in-form Samisoni Taukei’aho as a product of managing the workload for his two main No 2s on this tour.
“Soni was going to be on the bench last week (against Japan), and we changed that late with [Dane Coles’] calf injury, so he started, and Codie came off the bench. Really it’s a strategy of switching them around and sharing the load at this stage.
“It is also a bit of a reward for Codie. His last test at Eden Park was strong and we saw him back to the type of form we expect out of him. He’s in a great place, and is jumping out of his skin … and Soni is just carrying on ticking over the way he’s been going. We’re delighted with his form.”
The roof will be closed for Saturday’s test, which Foster said was a sensible call with rain forecast. “You’ve got a roof, so you might as well use it,” added the coach.
All Blacks: Beauden Barrett, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, San Whitelock (capt), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Akira Ioane, Brad Weber, David Havili, Anton Lienert-Brown.
