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Scott Robertson explains why Beauden Barrett was selected ahead of McKenzie
By Ben Smith
Scott Robertson says the selection of Beauden Barrett at first five for the All Blacks against England is the best call "for this week".
The All Blacks have used Damian McKenzie almost exclusively at No 10 this season, with Barrett getting his first chance in the second Bledisloe Test in Wellington, a 33-13 victory.
After McKenzie started against Japan with a largely second string side, Robertson stopped short of confirming a permanent change had been made.
"A little bit," Roberston said when asked if the All Blacks' style will change with Beauden.
"Beauden is experienced. He understands what it is with the northern tours. If it's out of his hands, or off the his foot, or game management.
"He's very instinctive, the way he plays, but also knows how to get you around the field, so we believe he's the best one for this week."
Barrett proved instrumental for the All Blacks against England when the two sides met in July, with a bench cameo from Barrett lifting the side home at Eden Park in the second encounter.
He produced a game-changing performance in the final quarter, setting up a try and swinging the momentum back in New Zealand's favour.
Robertson said that either of McKenzie or Barrett are great bench options, but he is looking for multiple options at the position.
"I think when we gave Beauden a crack, he was great," Robertson said.
"And as I mentioned before, just tactically, how this game is played, we know either of them are awesome off the bench.
"You know, with Beauden, it's his chance. You could have two, three 10s in your team that play. Most of the top teams now give the guys opportunities and in this part of the calendar, it's his."
Robertson had high praise for Barrett, calling him the "ultimate professional" with his preparation and leadership impressing the new head coach.
With 131 Test caps under his belt, he is the fourth most capped All Black on all-time and will equal Keven Mealamu in third when he runs out at Twickenham.
"I knew he's professional, but he's the ultimate, like day-to-day, his daily habits, his ability to stand up and demand what's required," Robertson explained.
"Very articulate and knows the game well. Look, I've been impressed in that regard.
"And he's performed when we have that opportunity, either at the end of games, or now that you know, the last test match in Australia. So he's had a good week."
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Latest Comments
You have to have dreams to reach for the stars, but without believing it, it won't ever happen. It's one thing to say things to the media, quite another to believe what you regurgitate just for the journalists and the public. No one is fooled, and it's the one game they knew Wales will get smashed. The Boks won 10 games without being at their best. Even on their baddest day they will smash this Wales team.
I don't really blame the players. I blame the WRU. Their best players is not available due to restrictions, small change as pay and an overly believe in their own power that amounts to nothing. Get rid of them and Gatland, and maybe their will be an upwards curve. They will lose against the Boks, and also all the games in the 6N if they keep the current board. Italy will be able to smash them.
Go to commentsFrance is starting to look like they are finally over their WC headache, although they were lucky that NZ had a very bad game. The Argies as usual is one game good, the next bad. If they can sort that out and be more consistent, they could become contenders for the WC.
NZ, Argentina (if they are more consistent), and now the Wallabies too is in an upward curve (can they be consistent?), as well as Fiji(as inconsistent as Argentina) looks like possible contenders. The Boks will be as usual a huge threat to defend their title. Things are looking up for the South, so the North should rightfully beware of the Southern Hemisphere threat.
With the French looking dangerous, the English with their close runs (mostly a mindset problem) and the Scottish seems to be the NH main contenders. The Irish is good, but not excellent anymore. They are more overbearing and with their glory days mostly gone with old players hanging on by a thread, by 2027 if they don't start adding in the younger players, they won't make it past yet another WC Quarter final. The problem is that their youngsters, while good is nothing special.
That is just 8 teams without the Irish that can become real WC contenders. Lots of hickups to be sorted still for these teams, excluding the Boks to become a threat. Make no mistake, the top Tier is much closer than people realise and the 2027 WC will be a really great WC, possibly the best contended WC ever.
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