Steve Hansen’s World Cup trump card could be on show for the All Blacks in Wellington when Beauden Barrett starts a Test at fullback for the first time in six years.
Celebrated five-eighth Barrett will wear No.15 against the Springboks on Saturday in an intriguing tactical switch, with Richie Mo’unga handed playmaker duties.
Hansen has retained just three starting players from the team who opened the Rugby Championship with a nervous 20-16 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires.
One of them is Barrett and another Ben Smith, who also changes position, from fullback to wing, to cater for the seismic change. Lock Brodie Retallick is the lone forward retained.
Crusaders star Mo’unga has been handed comfortably his biggest assignment, having started just two of nine Tests in his rookie international season last year.
His commanding displays for the Super Rugby three-time defending champions had sparked a call for more Test opportunities.
Critics say the free-running Barrett is an inferior game manager and should return to fullback, where he shone as a junior before spending his early Test years from 2012-15 as a game-breaking reserve, often injected at the back.
After replacing the retired Dan Carter at No.10, Barrett was honoured as World Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017.
In 74 Tests, Barrett has started twice at fullback, most recently against Japan in 2013.
Assistant coach Ian Foster said they felt confident 25-year-old Mo’unga was ready to prove his mettle.
“He’s just had more experiences out in the middle,” Foster said.
“I love the way he’s dealt with leading a Super team that were the defending champions. He dealt with the pressures of that and help guide them significantly to another one.”
The All Blacks are close to full strength in most areas, having named three centurions in the pack, including skipper Kieran Read.
However, No.8 Read is the only proven force in an experimental loose forward mix, with gun flankers Sam Cane and Ardie Savea omitted.
Matt Todd and Shannon Frizell get rare starts on the side of the scrum while Dalton Papali’i and Vaea Fifita are bench options.
Another with plenty to prove is injury-plagued inside centre Sonny Bill Williams, whose World Cup selection is far from certain after managing to start just five Super Rugby games for the Blues.
All Blacks (15-1)
Beauden Barrett, Ben Smith, Jack Goodhue, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Richie Mo’unga, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read (capt), Matt Todd, Shannon Frizell, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Vaea Fifita, Dalton Papali’i, Aaron Smith, Anton Lienert-Brown, George Bridge.
Cantab
Roar Rookie
Thought Frizell had a solid game and was probably the best of our forwards that started.
Nobody
Roar Rookie
Barrett did fine at 15 SBW did fine too, and suffered no injuries TJ did fine but Aaron better Todd got a pass mark. Remains to see whether Shag was impressed.
Nobody
Roar Rookie
And SBW proved me wrong
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
and Perofeta's Jacko, both graduates of the U20's
stan
Roar Rookie
stan /kiwi all for trying something new as hansen is never scared of doing ,so will be an interesting time AllBlacks to win ,goblacks
charly_777
Guest
The best of the worlds of No. 10, Mouga kicking and B Barrett handling the game and attacking!
Nobody
Roar Rookie
Doh, I meant 75
MitchO
Guest
Cheers Smoothy.
smoothy
Roar Rookie
It would likely be Josh Ioane at this stage, followed by Otere Black(?) - while guys like Mitch Hunt & Brett Cameron could also be considered if there were a catastrophic run of injuries... However, if all goes well on the 'health' front, then I don't think any of these guys will be in the initial RWC squad. Jordie Barrett (or Havili actually) could handle a run against the minnows in the pool.
taylorman
Roar Guru
True, the kicking strategies of both sides just went up a notch in importance in getting it right.
MitchO
Guest
Hansen does need to give Mounga some starting big game experience because if BBBB picks up an injury then Mounga is the starting 10. Bender is a good 15 and so is Havilli but my question for you guys is - who is the third string 10? DMac is injured and Sopoaga not available due to playing outside of NZ?
Campbell Ross
Roar Rookie
I suspect that Barrett may be a little bit of a distraction here. Mounga's kicking game (general and from the tee) is very good and will be vital in countering the rush defence, while he also offers the backs outside him with more opportunities. But, when all is said and done, it don't mean a thing until the forwards get their hands on the ball and create go-forward. I, for one, will be closely watching the loosies. The opportunity to win or lose the game may well rest on their shoulders.
MitchO
Guest
Maybe it is all about Frizzell. The Frizell family do have good genes. His bro is an excellent leaguie. A touch small maybe but tough and fast and a pretty good ball player. So they pick Read and Todd (both Crusaders/established combo) which should give Frizell plenty of room to breathe. ABs get a look at what the smallish Frizell can do against a monster forward pack. If Frizell can handle the Boks then he should be okay to handle England, Ireland etc. There is no way Read plays every game so Ardie will get plenty of time at 8 and Cane has to be the first choice 7 for his power (and link play). It is very easy to forget that Matt Todd is one of the best 7s on the planet. He's just not the best.
Jacko
Guest
80 to go???
Ryan
Roar Rookie
Hansen will be missed and will go down as the greatest coach. Hoping his successor is of similar ilk.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Haha Tragic... 'believe' twice in the same sentence?? And that's coming from a BLUES supporter!?! :)
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Nah, he's going to replace Parsons as Hooker isn't he? ... believe that and you'll believe in the tooth fairy too
Machooka
Roar Guru
Umm no, Muzzo... that would be the 'Hellabaloo' methinks ;)
Ryan
Roar Rookie
Not the changing of the guard, they’re both of the same generation. It’s more that Mo’unga is too good not to select and BB is versatile enoughto play at fb. Mills and Dagg just mentioned Perenara can slot in at 1stfive if need be, so we have great depth. We can kill any team anyway, it’s more the combination of world class AB players that makes the opposition scared not individuals. Btw McCaw and co would go against coach instructions re onfield strategy a lot, it would be stupid not to tweak game plan if the live match required so.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Are you referring to that cult organisation that's called 'Folau'?