After the side for the Test was announced on Thursday, Barrett said he was used to coming off the bench and had been happy in that role, but getting the start this week was something he was excited about.
Advertisement
Electric first-five Beauden Barrett will don the hallowed All Blacks No.10 shirt for his side’s Rugby Championship opener against Australia.
Hurricanes duo Ardie Savea and TJ Perenara were also named substitutes after strong club seasons in the Kiwi capital. No doubt the coaches will look to inject Savea off the bench to give the All Blacks an unpredictable attacking force in the final quarter.
Reserve prop Kane Hames will become All Black 1152 should he appear off the bench, having been drafted in as a replacement for Joe Moody.
In the midfield, Ryan Crotty and Malakai Fekitoa will line up as expected after injury ruled out George Moala, who was vying with Fekitoa for the outside centre role.
Israel Dagg retains the fullback role with Ben Smith on the wing while Julian Savea, struggling to find the form that made him a star at the World Cup previous year, is on the bench.
Nathan Harris starts at hooker, with Codie Taylor in the reserves.
“This test match will be another stepping stone in the re-establishment of this group on the global stage and we know that Australia will throw everything at us, which is what test rugby is all about”, New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said. Australia had only one team in the playoffs – the ACT Brumbies, who were knocked out in the first round – and have been able to use the extra time to prepare for the defense of the Rugby Championship title.
Home advantage in the opening match provides them with their best chance to get one over the World Cup winners – defeat could consign them to yet another Bledisloe beating.
It’s the first match of the 2016 Rugby Championship, and the All Blacks will be looking to defend their long unbeaten record, that stretches back to August 2015, when Michael Cheika’s men took the Rugby Championship off the All Blacks in dramatic fashion. It produces an exciting brand of rugby and world-class players, which both teams have.
“We’re also playing for the Bledisloe Cup, which, after the Rugby World Cup, is probably the most important trophy we play for”.
“Our attitude has always been – and still is – that we don’t hold the Bledisloe Cup by right; we have to go out and earn the right to take it”. It’s about embracing that pressure and taking it on.
Advertisement
“Saturday night can’t come any quicker but I don’t want to play the game too soon so I am staying relaxed at this stage”.
