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All Blacks captain Scott Barrett looks ahead to Nic White rematch
By Finn Morton
New Zealand versus Australia is always a titanic sporting battle, no matter which code the nation’s chosen athletes compete in. Earlier this week, Australia got up in a women’s T20 cricket international and soon a Bledisloe Cup Test will decide more bragging rights.
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All Blacks coach Scott Barrett knows all too well how passionate these matches are. In some tense Bledisloe Cup Tests in years gone by, the towering second rower has been left fiery and fierce on the field of battle as the Wallabies give their traditional rivals everything.
Barrett was red carded during New Zealand’s highest-ever loss to Australia in an international rugby Test, with the men in black going down 47-26 in Perth five years ago. More recently, the lock was seen shushing Wallaby Nic White a couple of times in Melbourne last year.
“Not usually like me,” is how Barrett explained the situation when asked about the incidents post-match at the world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground. But it was a moment that made headlines after the 38-7 win, and it was brought up more than a year later.
Before this weekend’s Bledisloe Cup clash at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, Barrett was asked to explain how the All Blacks’ captaincy has changed his approach to the game – and whether fans can expect to see him shush White again on Saturday afternoon.
“Past Tests, possibly heat of the moment. I’ve been on the receiving end of a couple of losses over here,” he had said earlier,” Barrett told reporters at Sydney’s Opera House.
“When the running nines and the Australian forwards get downhill and over the game line they’re a tough team to stop.
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“We certainly don’t want to be losing that upfront battle.
“… I think he controls their game pretty well, whether it’s box kicking or attacking around the fringes. If he’s getting front foot ball then his tail will get up,” he added about White.
“We certainly don’t want to give him those opportunities.”
Barrett will lead a hungry All Blacks side into battle for a crunch Bledisloe Cup opener at Sydney Olympic Park. New Zealand were recently beaten in both Tests over in South Africa, and their unwanted record extends to three losses from their last four starts.
But it’s not like they need any more motivation. This is a Bledisloe Cup Test, and the All Blacks haven’t surrendered their hold on the Cup for 22 years now. No player wants to be part of the All Blacks squad that loses that privilege.
To keep their hold on the Cup, the All Blacks have to either win this weekend’s Test in Sydney or get the job done at Wellington’s Sky Stadium the following Saturday. They’re widely tipped to do just that, but beware the Wallabies.
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Australia were handed a record 67-27 loss by Argentina earlier this month.
They’re hurting as well.
“Argentina at home, when they get their tails up, they’re a top-quality team Argie,” Barrett said.
“Like us, we’ve been on the receiving end of a couple of losses and we’re certainly hungry and I think there’s probably going to be a similar level of hunger from that Australian team.”
Robertson's choice for leadership seems askew. Scott Barrett looks likely to be overtaken by the younger locks now emerging. Ardie is running out of steam and younger players are now banging on his door. Jordie is just not an international 12. Robertson's AB tenure could end up like Wayne Smith's which promised the earth but ended up a muddled mess.
Strike first. Strike hard. No Mercy.