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'Still the best Barrett': Has Jordie Barrett become the favourite for the All Blacks No. 15 jersey?
By Alex McLeod
Following the departure of All Blacks veteran Ben Smith to France after last year's World Cup, the fullback role in the New Zealand set-up has become vacant.
Now plying his trade for Pau in the Top 14, the 33-year-old was barely utilised in his swansong international tournament in Japan, despite forging a reputation as one of the greatest fullbacks in modern-day rugby over a decade-long test career.
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Instead, Smith was only used twice in the starting lineup by ex-All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen throughout the six-match campaign - once at fullback and once at right wing.
In his place, Beauden Barrett was picked as the man for the job in the No. 15 jersey as the All Blacks opted for a dual playmaking scheme, with Richie Mo'unga the preferential first-five.
That experiment didn't reap the rewards the All Blacks were looking for, though, as they were bundled out at the semi-final stage by England, and a re-think is now on the cards as to who should win selection at fullback in 2020.
With Smith now re-located to Europe, the All Blacks can't call upon the 84-test star they overlooked last year.
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Latest Comments
The Saracens players are the ones who brought this habit into the England team and to be fair they rarely lose, they have a very strong winning culture. It is however very embarrassing when you suck.
Go to commentsYes but it will be very hard game for the ABs, Ireland will want some pay back and they are a fine team who can play the running dynamic game like we do. It was 3 tries all in the QF with some great rugby by both sides. We will probably see a good game and as you say not much in it. I am less worried than normal as I feel like our team is changing for the future at the moment, with the new coach, so we will get better over time. There is a lot of new talent coming through.
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