Scott Barrett explains why he shushed Nic White after All Blacks try

Lock Scott Barrett has explained why he decided to shush Wallaby Nic White after the All Blacks scored a crucial try during their Bledisloe Cup victory at the MCG on Saturday.

Playing in front of more than 83,000 people at the ‘G, the All Blacks took control of the Test after overcoming a slow start.

Following a try to Will Jordan, the All Blacks took a 12-point lead into the sheds. There seemed to be a widespread feeling throughout the world-class venue that the next try was going to play a key role in determining the victor.

The Wallabies, who had young playmaker Carter Gordon at the helm, threw everything at their heavily favoured opponents.

Phase after phase, moment after moment, the Aussies refused to throw in the towel.

Australia controlled possession for the first 18 minutes of the second term, but failed to convert their attacking pressure into points.

The All Blacks wouldn’t make the same mistake.

Scott Barrett shushing Nic White is iconic 🔥 #AllBlacks #Wallabies #BledisloeCup #AUSvNZL pic.twitter.com/kFN2w5ltX8

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 29, 2023

Prop Taniela Tupou was yellow carded – and also left the field with an injury – which gave Jordie Barrett the chance to kick for the sideline. The field possession proved too good for the visitors.

Replacement Caleb Clarke ended up fighting his way over for the pivotal score in the 59th minute. The All Blacks were thrilled, just look at Aaron Smith – the veteran No. 9 jumped up in celebration.

But as the All Blacks began to make their way back to halfway, lock Scott Barrett shushed Wallaby halfback Nic White. The reply on the big screen received a chorus of laughter from the packed stadium.

About 30 minutes after the full-time siren had sounded, Barrett spoke with reporters about the Bledisloe Cup win over the Wallabies – and of course, that exchange with Nic White.

“In the heat of the battle there’s probably a few words (to the ref) of holding him at the breakdown,” Barrett told reporters.

“Probably cleaned him out a couple of times earlier too so it wasn’t the first time I heard him complain the referee.

“Not usually like me, I usually get back to halfway and worry about the kick-off.”

Wallaby Jordan Uelese had a front-row seat to the exchange, and was clearly shocked by what had just happened.

Uelese was caught in slow-mo with a stunned look on his face – shifting his focus from Barrett to White with his eyes wide open.

It was an uncharacteristically cheeky thing for Barrett to do, but the Crusaders captain just put it down to “the heat of the battle.”

“It’s probably the heat of the battle I guess,” he added. “A few words of advice to the ref so I was quietly trying to say something there I think.”

The All Blacks locked up the Bledisloe Cup for another year and claimed The Rugby Championship crown with a 38-7 win in Melbourne.

Wing Mark Telea was impressive as the All Blacks put on a second-half point-scoring blitz against Eddie Jones’ Wallabies.

“It’s really pleasing, it was a huge effort. Weathered the storm of the Aussies, particularly around that halftime period.

“Pretty proud of the combined effort really.

“They always have breakdown threats there and they probably looked at the South African game last week and saw that they disrupted us.

“Will Skelton and the like actually did that for a wee bit tonight. Our nine’s didn’t have the cleanest ball for a lot of that game. I think that was probably the storm that we weathered.”

The two teams will go head-to-head again next weekend at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.