ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Tuesday Sep 8, 2020

Barrett could easily end up on All Blacks bench, according to AB's legend

New Zealand could face the very real prospect of having to play talisman Beauden Barrett off the bench, such is the level of competition in the new Ian Foster All Blacks set-up, according to former player Jeff Wilson.

ADVERTISEMENT

The ex-international outside back turned TV personality was discussing the emerging selection headaches for the new All Blacks coach now that Barrett, Richie Mo’unga and Damien McKenzie are injury free and in form.

While hypothetical for the moment, the idea that Barrett could indeed be used as a impact player, potentially covering both the out-half and full-back positions at international level, may come as something of a shock.

Indeed, whether this is in the mind of Foster is unknown, but as Wilson explains, it might not be as catastrophic as it seems.

“The game can go 85 minutes, [so] the bench is so critical,” Wilson said on Sky New Zealand’s The Breakdown show.

“The options and the depth you need… yes, you might not get to start everyone but to know that you can bring that type of quality on and we’ve known that that’s the role Beauden Barrett has played.

“[It’s] possible. But imagine those trainings, we saw last night [in the North vs South match], they’ll be just as competitive.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Whether this situation manifests itself before long will only be known by the selectors but it does give a new perspective on how to manage star quality at international level.

Fitting Barrett, Mo’unga and McKenzie into the All Blacks side is clearly a priority for Foster, but just how that is done while preserving the structure of the mid-field and ensuring each of the three players are getting the maximum out of their game will be intriguing.

What it does demonstrate is that player management will be given even more importance for the remainder of the season.

Rotation between the three is a possibility and each can certainly maintain the same high level, but that prospect may end up being the stick of dynamite which the All Blacks just can’t afford to light.

ADVERTISEMENT

Comments




Related Articles

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Jeff Wilson Blast Scott Robertson

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    Steve Hansen defends Ian Foster

  • 88 WEEKS AGO

    All Blacks make coaching changes



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth - including the cameraman

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll ever see' in latest match against Exeter

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Baloucoune shows Andy Farrell what he's missing as the winger tears through Harlequins defence

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations opener

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full length of the pitch try

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Magical sevens try leaves defender stuck in the mud

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    The fan reaction to Georgia calling out Wales this Autumn

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    England player ratings: England wake Twickenham up with huge victory

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible scenes as Italy shock Scotland in Rome

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Awesome scenes as Blitzbok fan throws down at the HSBC SVNS

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Mike Philips recounts crazy night Shane Williams tried to fight Warren Gatland

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Shaun Edwards leaves room silent in new Six Nations documentary with French to English transition

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

View All

Amateur

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 21 HOURS AGO

    Danny Care to return to Twickenham for Barbarians match this summer

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Northampton Saints brothers retire a day apart

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Tributes paid as World Cup referee looks to hang up boots

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Statement: Danny Care calls time on international career

View All