Joe Schmidt’s reaction to the All Blacks’ unexpected change at flyhalf

Joe Schmidt wasn’t surprised to see Beauden Barrett selected at flyhalf for this weekend’s Bledisloe Cup Test in Wellington. The Wallabies coach has actually tipped the former two-time World Rugby Player of the Year to shine as New Zealand’s chief playmaker once again.

In the All Blacks’ new era with coach Scott Robertson in charge and no Richie Mo’unga to select, Damian McKenzie has been regularly picked as the man to lead in attack. McKenzie has started every Test so far this year but that streak will end on Saturday evening.

McKenzie has come under fire following the All Blacks’ two losses in South Africa to the world champion Springboks, and the first five-eighth received some criticism after last weekend’s 31-28 win over the Wallabies at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

Coach ‘Razor’ Robertson told reporters on Thursday that the All Blacks wanted to give Barrett a go in the No. 10 jumper this weekend and there didn’t seem to be much more to that. Barrett hasn't started at flyhalf for New Zealand since playing Scotland in November, 2022.

The All Blacks are just fortunate to have some quality options at No. 10 to choose from.

But, for those who aren’t part of the All Blacks' inner sanctum, this decision may have come as a bit of a surprise; some fans will be happy while others may be surprised. As for Schmidt, the Wallabies coach didn’t seem at all fazed by the All Blacks’ decision.

“No, I mean I know both of those 10s very well, I’ve coached them both, and I think they bring really strong attributes to the All Black game,” Schmidt said on Thursday.

“Obviously, Beauden’s experience… has a depth of experience, probably hasn’t played as much 10 over here in recent years with a fair bit of 15 in the All Blacks but I think he played pretty much the whole season at 10 in Japan.

“It’ll be something that is like riding a bike for Beaudy, I’m pretty sure, he’ll slot straight back in there.”

With Barrett slotting in at flyhalf, the All Blacks will look to make history on Saturday evening against the Wallabies. The New Zealanders haven’t won a Test at Wellington’s Sky Stadium so they’ll be intent on snapping a five-match losing streak against their neighbouring foe.

As for the Wallabies, they have plenty to play for themselves even though the Bledisloe Cup is no longer on the line. Australia haven’t beaten their traditional sporting rivals from across the ditch in an international men’s rugby union Test since 2001.

They’re potentially 80 minutes away from changing that.

“Obviously, the Bledisloe got talked about last week a little bit. James Slipper got talked about last week because of the admiration players have for him and the glue that he is in the group,” Schmidt explained.

“I think as far as we can manage, all we can do it try to go out and play as best we can and the outcome will be whatever the outcome is.

“We’ve got to start better, obviously, than last week, and then be able to maintain a real focus because it’s a split-second and New Zealand can get away from you so quickly.

“If you look back at the tries they scored, some of them, particularly probably Ardie’s one is a standout where we’re looking to force a pass, Sevu picks it up, Ardie is down the other end between the posts in the blink of an eye really.

“You don’t give yourself a chance of defending those if you’re untidy with the ball, and then at the same time, they’re the sort of team who can apply pressure through their set-piece and then through their running game.”