All Blacks forced into changes for Bledisloe Cup finale against Australia

The mental challenge faced by All Black Beauden Barrett

Beauden Barrett accepted the challenge.

Running out on to the turf against the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday night, the two-time World Rugby player of the year made the most of his 80 minutes in the All Blacks’ No 15 jersey.

It wasn’t unfamiliar territory for the 35-year-old by any means. Since debuting at test level in 2012, Barrett has been a mainstay in the All Blacks squad and while most of his test rugby has been at first five-eighths, 33 of his previous 149 appearances had come at fullback.

But with Dave Rennie brought in at the helm of the All Blacks this year and the emergence of Ruben Love as a bona fide test No 10, Barrett found himself fall down the depth chart.

Before Saturday night’s Bledisloe Cup test, Barrett’s 150th appearance in the black jersey, he had played just nine minutes of test rugby this year – a cameo off the bench against South Africa in Baltimore. He did not feature in the first six tests this year.

“It did challenge me mentally a little bit, not being selected and just feeling a little bit off the pace,” he said.

“When you’re in the [match-day squad of] 23 or the [starting] 15, you’re in the thick of it. You feel that flow, the connections, the combinations and all of that. So, getting back in, obviously, it’s a matter of reps and building through the week and really trusting that process. That’s where a lot of confidence comes from.

Jordie, Scott and Beauden Barrett before the All Blacks' victory over Australia at Eden Park. Photo / Photosport

“I’d be lying if I said that it hasn’t affected me, but the important thing is just being able to bounce back, focus on what I do well and be consistent, whether I’m selected or not. It’s about turning up for the team and, at the end of the day, it’s about the All Blacks winning.

“So, if I’m contributing outside the 23 or within it, that’s my role in the team.”

While Barrett had not been called upon in the regular rotation, Rennie had made it clear to him just where he stood in the current All Blacks’ set-up.

“He was telling me that he’s liking how I’m training. He’s happy with my contribution and it was clear that I wasn’t up in the pecking order, so I had to really work for it or wait for my opportunity,” Barrett said.

“The good thing is we’re both honest with one another. We know where we stand and there’s no mixed messages.”

Barrett ultimately got his opportunity on Saturday night after both Love (ankle) and Richie Mo’unga (calf) were ruled out of the Bledisloe Cup series with injury. That saw Damian McKenzie – Rennie’s preferred choice at fullback – shift into first five-eighths, opening a spot at the back for Barrett.

He took the opportunity well, outside of sending an early restart beyond the dead-ball line, with some smart clean-up work at the back and testing carries on attack.

His return was made all the more memorable as he ran out in the starting line-up with younger brothers Jordie and Scott Barrett, the latter also making his first test start this year after missing about 10 months as a non-playing sabbatical was extended due to a back injury.

All three Barretts carried out their roles well; Jordie Barrett arguably the best player on the field for either side while Scott Barrett brought a physical, workhorse effort in the pack.

“It was great to get an opportunity, especially at home. Every time it’s a privilege, but having missed out on recent test matches, it meant a lot to get back out there and to play alongside my brothers especially, with Scott’s return, that always feels really good, but this one was super special.”

The opportunity could be there again for Barrett in the reverse fixture in Sydney, with Mo’unga still unavailable.

However, with the Bledisloe Cup locked away for another year, it remains to be seen whether Rennie and the selectors will look to find a role for 25-year-old Josh Jacomb, who played three games on the South African tour against the club sides but is yet to make his test debut.

And while the Bledisloe Cup can’t be lost this weekend, Barrett said the side weren’t short of motivation.

“We’re wearing the black jersey and we’re representing our family, our country and ourselves.

“Of course, there isn’t the Eden Park thing or, you know, we’ve won the Bledisloe but we haven’t won the standard that we set and we’re looking to improve this week.”

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.