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Robertson on decision to bench McKenzie and start Beauden Barrett
By Ben Smith
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has explained the decision to change his first five-eighth for the second Bledisloe Test in Wellington.
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Damian McKenzie has worn the No 10 jersey for the All Blacks in every Test in 2024, but now Beauden Barrett wear the jersey for the first time since 2022.
Robertson said that McKenzie has had a “great season” and the reason for the benching was pre-planned, but McKenzie will still have a role play to help the All Blacks finish strong, which has been an issue this year.
“He’s had a great season,” Robertson said of McKenzie.
“There are areas of this game he can get better, but come on and be D-Mac. You know he can play. He’s created a lot for us, one of the highest line breakers in the comp. He can wave a wand and take a gap.
“Also, to come on and then manage what we need to do to finish the match.”
Barrett last played No 10 for the All Blacks in mid-2022, before Foster and his new assistants promoted Richie Mo’unga into the role and moved the two-time World Player of the Year to fullback.
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He will resume his partnership with long-time Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara for his last game in New Zealand for the All Blacks.
The pair played most of their careers together in the capital, guiding the Hurricanes to a maiden Super Rugby title in 2016.
“We’re always planning to give Beauden a go,” Robertson said, “You have to.”
“He’s [McKenzie] started every game till now, he’s shown some great form, and we’ve got to give guys opportunities and build depth in our team.
“And it’s nice chance for Beauden to play outside TJ, they’ve got a combination, they have had a lot of games together, and they played a lot of games together at the Cake Tin. So it lines up nicely.
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“He’s [Perenara] playing good footy. He’s been great when he’s come off the bench and when he’s started as well. You’ve got a great 9-10 combo.”
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Scottys' not taking any chances of losing in Wellington and fair enough, his focus is on 2-0 All Blacks vs Wallabies whitewash, while Joe Schmidt has been forced into making some changes.
The All Blacks have a starting lineup that boasts 917 Caps, while the Wallabies starting XV have only a total of 374 Caps, plus scrum weight and possibly technique advantage unless Jasons mentor Mike Cron has other plans. Boring in, like they did in last weekends game.
Anyways, all going well, the weather forecast is looking good for an open running game of rugby with on field official Nika Amashukeli in charge.
Go the All Blacks...the stats are heavily stacked in your favour...stay on the good side of Nika and don't be flippant and produce a Betty Crocker...OK 👌..
We are not going to build depth with these players chopping and changing, a lot of these guys won’t be here next year let alone the next World Cup.
Get off RAZOR's back ClintP🙃
Agreed. TJ is getting a farewell test start in front of his home town crowd and BB is a planned rotation. Just be straight and drop drop the trite catch phrases.
Barrett last played No 10 for the All Blacks in mid-2022, before Foster and his new assistants promoted Richie Mo’unga into the role and moved the two-time World Player of the Year to fullback.
Thats incorrect Ben and a rugby follower would know that Dmac's grandmother died when he was on his way to Argentina in 2018, so he flew back home. That tour they played Mounga at 10 and BB at 15. It was then continued with as DM injured his achillies in SR in 2019.
BB played 15 mostly but on 4 occasions between that 2018 tour and the last game at 10 he had in 22.