The whispers around the All Blacks starting fly-half position for the defence of their World Cup title are beginning to grow more boisterous with each passing Super Rugby round.
And while scribes, pundits and fans alike are calling for Richie Mo’unga to usurp Beauden Barrett, the only opinion that matters is that of head coach Steve Hansen and his staff.
Barrett is the incumbent and twice World Rugby player of the year. He’s played more than 70 Tests and bided his time on the bench under the tutelage of the All Blacks’ greatest ever fly-half, Dan Carter.
No player in world rugby has the match-play instincts of Barrett. His vision, speed and unpredictability can’t be coached. It’s a natural gift he has cultivated over time in the All Blacks environment.
He is also the most analysed player in the world due to his remarkable talents with ball in hand.
Trust – being the fragile commodity it is – can only be built over time.
Barrett has earned that by declining multiple European mega-money deals, opting to play for the black jersey.
Barrett rode the pine when in scandalous form in the early days of his career, which is the position his rival Mo’unga finds himself in now.
(Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
Mo’unga has been superb over the past two seasons.
For such a young player, his game management is better than Barrett’s. His goal-kicking has been reliable.
He’s in prime position to learn the art of fly-half play from someone as talented as Barrett, whose own goal-kicking routinely comes into question.
It must always be top of mind that Mo’unga operates behind a Rolls-Royce pack. Most fly-halves would perform admirably behind the Crusaders forwards.
Barrett, however, plays behind the Hurricanes’ Alfa Romeo pack. When they’re going forward, it’s a magical ride – but far too often, they’re in the chop shop needing constant repairs.
The Crusaders certainly looked directionless when Mo’unga was missing from their loss against the Waratahs a few weeks ago.
This is a feather in the cap of the young man and his growing importance and influence in the red-and-black environment.
Super Rugby, however, is not Test match rugby.
The speed of the game is completely different. In Super Rugby, you have time on the ball. In Test match rugby, there is none.
The form of senior All Blacks in the early rounds is nothing to be concerned about, as Hansen’s history of selection shows.
Ma’a Nonu was mostly a Super Rugby no-show, but was immaculate for the All Blacks season after season.
We should do well to remember history, when Carter’s ability was severely questioned in the lead-up to 2015 by the press to Hansen.
With an in-form Barrett snapping at his heels, Carter went on to lead his nation to a second World Cup title. Barrett came off the bench to make his usual significant impact and score a try in the final.
(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Mo’unga is also yet to be truly put under the pump in a Test match environment.
Of course, he will only get that opportunity when he starts – and he will when the time is right.
Hansen has overseen the All Blacks’ most consistently successful era. The man knows what he is doing.
He will not be swayed by popular opinion.
No player is thrown in the deep end – they are given time to become comfortable in the boiling cauldron of Test match rugby so their natural talents can come to fruition at a later stage.
Hansen has heard it all before, this chat about his players being out of form and who should be selected.
He knows all too well he has the luxury – which most nations’ coaches would give their arm and leg for – a yellow Lamborghini to start, and when he needs a Red Ferrari to call upon in his garage, he can.
He’s spoilt for choice
taylorman
Roar Guru
I for one am glad you arent Steve Hansen then :-)
taylorman
Roar Guru
Very nicely put, saying a lot I think many of us are thinking in this space.
Shooter McGavin
Guest
Mounga is the best first five in NZ by a big margin but Hansen is just showing his idiocy with comments like Rolls Royce pack. Gosh I wish the real behind the scenes brain of Wayne Smith was still in the fold. BB if flaky now opposition have worked him out. Poor Mounga might as well go and earn big coin in France rather than sitting on a bench for players he continually outplays.
Lara
Guest
BB n RM RWC may have changed a bit with DM injury. BB duties may involve more FB play to give the ABs more attacking options. BB will start no doubt, RM will provide the composure at the end. I think the third FH option is critical ,if one of these two get injured , then a natural FH would be better due to the lack of time.....Hayden Parker if illegible or Marty Banks n I am sure they would love to play behind a AB pack, especially HP. MB is an underrated player, nothing flaky about him, really smart with a great boot n takes the tackles.....great no 3....reliable as my Hyundai Getz.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yep, mud sticks it seems, Barrett finished last year with one of the best kicking records going and is up there again.
Andrew Johnson
Guest
Maybe it’s that it was a while ago but all I can remember is lynagh and fox playing force em backs.
moaman
Roar Guru
Bit rough on Lynagh there AJ....he was a World Class 10 imo with at least a handy running game to him if memory serves.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Connor, rarely has the AB pack been the best in the world. It has always been v.good but is seldom the best. DC on the other hand was always a standout.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Barrett started slowly too when he came back, as did McKenzie. Read somewhere that most All Blacks had a reduced preseason so they didnt fade towards the end of the year. Unsurprisingly, McKenzie improved immensely when moved to fullback. Tragedy for the kid that he gets such a terrible injury as he started playing wonderfully.
Big Jim
Guest
Hayden Parker at 10 for the All Blacks would be quite Exhilarating
rebel
Roar Guru
Yes WR were also click baiting giving out those awards.
Danny
Roar Pro
As a former Alfa Romeo owner can confirm! Barrett, however, plays behind the Hurricanes’ Alfa Romeo pack. When they’re going forward, it’s a magical ride – but far too often, they’re in the chop shop needing constant repairs.
Jacko
Guest
I wish they would get Cruden. He is apparently on the outer at montpellier and the Chiefs and NZR should get him back on a 1 year deal. I think he would really have to play brilliantly to replace Mounga as the reserve 10 but just having him around as a backup would be great. He has already started a winning WC final and has shown he is the goods in NZs style of play. Sadly I think it wont happen but I wish, for the Chiefs and ABs that it would happen
Fionn
Guest
Hansen is no Cheika Fionn. He doesnt do nasty jabs at his own players. Anyone who suggests that is disrespecting him and lacks knowledge of the game. Hansen brings players on at a pace that suits the player and will build confidence in the player so that when the pressure is on the player has all the mental side of the game in control and has enough experience to call upon. last year was Mounga's first year in test rugby and his best (so far) in SR. Hansen was never goiing to be silly enough to burn him by expecting to much too early. Particully by creating any major controversy and dropping BB. That would have heaped a massive amount of pressure on Mounga and may well have proved a disaster. Mounga will be better this year for last years careful guidance by Hansen and the older players.
Ben
Guest
"His goalkicking has been reliable". Has been being the operative words as Mo'unga is currently in a bit of a goalkicking slump nailing less than 60% this season. Funny when Barrett went thru a similar kicking slump the knives were out. Now its Barrett nailing his shots and Mo'unga not, but barely any mention. Barrett has consistently played at the top in the most pressure cooker situations. Mo'unga is yet to be tested. How can comparisons be made?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes, very oddly a poor start both form and kicking wise from Mounga in such an important year, suggests off season tardiness but I guess a slow start is better than a no start.
Jacko
Guest
Dmac was wearing 15 but playing as a playmaker anyway. In the match before he got injured he had 22 passes where is opposite had 2. The opposition 10 had 18 passes. he will be sorely missed. mounga is tracking along nicely. Hansen is doing exact;y as Hansen does...Bring them on in measured pressure situations and then start them on 2 or 3 occasions with 1 generally against SA and the others against Arg or weaker. It gives his bench the experience as they learn. Mounga had a very "out of form" start to this SR season but his past 3 matches have been very good, where he has got his running game back. Im still a bit annoyed when I see him miss touch by going for an extra 5-10 metres but Hansen will get that out of him. He has had 10 tests now and a few Barbarians matches too so this season is when he will be required to stand up and perform very well consistently and not make the little errors that inexperience brings. He needs to improve his kicking % also but he has a better % in him so he will improve that.
Andrew Johnson
Guest
Must be nice to live in your fantasy land Connor! Carter’s got the job done when the all blacks pack was been mauled by the bocks. Lynagh could kick but not much else, Larkham was all class but played behind a pretty good pack, with Eales Kefu Finnigan and the likes.
taylorman
Roar Guru
So do I! I might be wrong too but I dont think we are going to find out how mouaga will go in starting knockouts unless barretts ... i wont use the I word. Key I’s for me are either smith. Moody, either lock and most of all, as DC was in 15, barrett. Like the chiefs will be without dmac at fb, likely last nz place now, barretts loss means a nrw gameplan altogether.
Connor33
Guest
Good click bait: “greatest ever fly-half, Dan Carter” when he played behind the greatest AB pack of all time in 2015. Watch what Larkham and Lynagh did, then you’ll appreciate some of the best.