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Steve Hansen on his new playmaker: 'Hopefully we don't see him at 10 too many times'
By Tom Vinicombe
Jordie Barrett is an exceptionally talented player.
He's quick, confident in the air, and has a useful pair of kicking boots on him.
Jordie Barrett is not, however, a 10.
That's not supposed to be a controversial poke at Steve Hansen's selection of Barrett at first five for New Zealand's upcoming match against Namibia - that's basically how Hansen sees it too.
The All Blacks were always going to need to be a bit flexible with their selections at this World Cup. They made the decision to take just two specialist first fives to Japan in Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga, which is a risky manoeuvre should one of them pick up an injury.
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The fact that both players are starters in Hansen's first-choice lineup further complicates things. A fill-in was always going to be necessary for one of the All Blacks' less challenging fixtures.
In steps Jordie Barrett, who will now play his first professional game of rugby in the 10 jersey.
Hansen has no qualms with shifting the fullback-cum-wing-cum-midfielder into the first five role, despite his inexperience.
"We believe he has the skill-set and the confidence to do it," Hansen said after the team naming.
"He has played there before at lower levels. He'll be fine."
The World Cup is a tough place to debut in the most important position on the field, but Barrett is used to pressure. He made his international starting debut against the British and Irish Lions, after all.
Barrett has now clocked up 13 appearances for the All Blacks, covering primarily fullback and wing but also popping up in the midfield against France last year.
Arguably Barrett's most impressive performances to date at any level have come in the 12 jersey for Canterbury when he helped them to a Mitre 10 Cup title in 2016. Barrett was subsequently named the provincial player of the year.
10 will be a completely new challenge for the Hurricane, but one that could help improve the prodigiously talented player's decision making and confidence.
"He's been working on his patience and execution and coming into 10 will further enhance that," said Hansen.
But it's certainly not going to be a permanent move for Barrett.
"Hopefully we don't see him at 10 too many times. He's a back-three player. As he gets older he may end up in midfield. He has a big boot, he's good under the high ball. He's brave with chase and catch, good handling skills."
One of New Zealand's biggest rivals, England, are in the midst of preparing to take on Argentina in the World Cup:
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Latest Comments
We beat Wales. Oh wow.
Go to commentsAs has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.
Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.
That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.
You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).
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