mens
international
Dave Rennie explained how happy he was All black people are to have someone like Beauden Barrett in the mix, with the now 147-Test veteran stepping up during the Bledisloe Cup series after injuries to other playmaking options.
Ruben Love emerged as the All Blacks’ first choice, first five-eighth after managing Hurricanes to drought Super Rugby Pacific title. Love began in all three Nations Championship matches and continued to hold that role for most of rugby’s biggest rivalry.
But with Love injured, Richie Mo’unga was brought into the running for the fourth Springboks Test. Mo’unga was also due to play against the Wallabies but a calf injury sidelined the No.10 Auckland and the Sydney Tests.
Barrett had more than 10 minutes of international rugby ahead of the Bledisloe Cup Tests, coming off the bench against the Boks in Baltimore. But in 2015 Rugby World Cup the winner started at fullback last weekend, and was retained in that role in the second match.
The 35-year-old scored a first-half brace against the Wallabies as the All Blacks piled on the points during a clinical first half. Barrett and first five-eighth Damian McKenzie played the full 80 as the All Blacks secured the series 43-21 at Accor Stadium.
“It just goes to show how lucky we are. We’ve got a few dozen out there and we’re playing Damian and we can play Beauden,” Rennie told reporters.
“His experience, his communication, the quality of his decision-making is just excellent. You saw him under pressure last week and he managed to come out of three matches.
“To pick that try was reasonably important. If they score there, it’s 29-14. We feel like we had complete dominance at halftime, but they’re in it.”
“It’s great to have him in the mix.”
Rieko Ioane is another All Blacks veteran who took the opportunity to play decent minutes in the two wins over the Wallabies. Ioane came off the bench against the Springboks in the fourth clash, before featuring in both Bledisloe Cup clashes.
Ioane was named on the bench ahead of the Sydney Test but was replaced earlier when Quinn Tupaea was out. The 29-year-old raced over for the first-half try just inside the left touchline – which was quite similar to the five he scored two years ago at the same venue.
“Reeks was very good. I had to defend a lot today,” said Rennie.
“He barely trained in the center. He was our main mask, but really happy with him.”
Barrett and Ioane both made their mark as the All Blacks inexorably led 36-7 at half-time. Josh Moorby, Peter Lakai and Wallace Sititi also got on the scoresheet as the visitors put on an attacking masterclass.
The Wallabies, who scored one try in the first 40 through second rower Jeremy Williams, outscored the All Blacks 14-7 in the second term. Moorby completed his first All Blacks double at Test level, before Tom Wright and Filipo Daugunu crossed for the home side.
“A lot of the things we did well last week, we were able to put 40 minutes of that together. The quality of the carries, the winning runs and the brutality of the clearances, and then a lot of the quality of the decision-making; picking passes to put people in space,” he reflected.
“When we’re able to keep the ball, we can play fast. I thought we were really clinical (in) the first 43 (minutes).”
