Ian Foster explains why Jordie Barrett has been selected at No 12 in new midfield
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has explained the reasoning behind the decision to move his fullback Jordie Barrett into the midfield for Saturday's second Bledisloe test in Auckland.
The All Blacks lost their two preferred second fives in the space of 10 minutes during their dramatic Bledisloe win at Marvel Stadium last Thursday.
Now, after some strong debate amongst pundits, the unlikely battle for New Zealand's third choice No 12 has been settled, with Ian Foster naming Jordie Barrett as the starting partner for Rieko Ioane while Ioane's Blues teammate and former NRL star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will enter the game off the bench.
"It's based on the experience they had last week," Foster said.
"We just felt they can start at a high level because they've just had the best part of 60 minutes of a test match so that combination's a bit stronger."
"We just felt that the learnings and experience they had there, just flow through to this game and (we'll) maybe make some changes later on."
David Havili started the test in Melbourne but was pulled off the field due to a concussion, Quinn Tupaea came onto the field as a replacement but suffered a knee injury in a ruck when Australian replacement lock Darcy Swain dangerously attempted a clear out.
Swain has since been given a six week ban for the play by SANZAAR's judicial committee.
While Havili's concussion will only see him sit out one game, Tupaea's ruptured MCL will see him in rehab for the remainder of the international season, leaving a vacancy in the replacement midfield role for the All Blacks.
Jordie Barrett has made no secret of his intent to play in the midfield but Ian Foster has previously stated he doesn't see Barrett in that role at the international level.
Foster confirmed Barrett's opportunity in the midfield in both tests was purely due to injury cover.
"It was a pretty unique situation because we lost two players within about five minutes of each other so it was a late change clearly," he said.
"But, it's a 'what if' that we have to deal with and it's a 'what if' that I guess we've been dealing with at trainings.
"He [Jordie Barrett] went pretty good, he was a bit rusty on a few calls, showed probably too eager in many ways but again, there's some nice lessons there.
"Roger's had a couple NPC games, so he's come back in and training well and has a chance just to watch the game unfold and then... see what happens."
As for Barrett's strengths that translate well for him in the midfield, Foster complimented his broad skillset.
"He's a strong carrier, aggressive defender, can kick and a good communicator."
Jordie's move to the midfield has opened the door for someone new at fullback, including the possibility of seeing Will Jordan get a chance at his preferred position, but Foster remained consistent in his selection process.
"Well, Beaudy [Beauden Barrett] played three quarters of a game there last week so again, we felt like [selecting] those combinations we'd already been using.
"Did we consider Will? Yep, and you might see him slip back there at some point."
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No just because the personal is much better than last year. I've shown no antagonism of Crusader players, you must be confusing me with someone else.
I have critized Razor for picking players he knows occasionally?
I said I'm not surprised because of his style, he's more a grinder player like Cane, not going to show up on peoples radar until you see how bad the other choices are. This year players like Clarke have been on fire and just show a bit more.
Are you one of those posters continually taking it easy on Razor because he doesn't have his Crusaders stars available? Do you think the rugby world is going to up to him suddenly once Mo'unga returns? lol
Go to commentsJohn you have been beating this drum for a couple of years, if you get proven right get back to us.
The last recent and decent Aussie coach was Ewen McKenzie, he was undermined and forced out by a couple of slimy Aussie players who were given a free pass when they should have been disciplined.
So our history since McQueen is very checkered and it seems to make little difference whether we have an Aussie coach or a Kiwi coach. The players have been entitled for a long time and we had to hit bottom to get them back into reality and to stop thinking it is all about them.
Cheika was an OK coach but his 'go our and destroy the opposition' tactic worked for a while and then didn't.
Please give me a list of great Aussie coaches that I have missed.
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