Test greats Sir John Kirwan and Mils Muliaina believe Jordie Barrett’s shift to the All Blacks midfield needs to become a permanent one – a move which coach Ian Foster admits is now well and truly on his radar.
Barrett made a huge success of his selection at second five-eighths for Saturday’s Rugby Championship finale against the Wallabies at Eden Park, won 40-14 by the All Blacks to clinch an eighth title in the 10 years the competition has been in its current format.
The 25-year-old younger of the three Barrett brothers in the squad produced a compelling all-round effort in his first test start at No 12, was strong and deft on the carry, kicked well when called upon, was a real defensive presence and combined well with midfield partner Rieko Ioane.
The numbers backed this up. He carried for over 80 metres on 17 runs, beat 7 defenders, had 4 offloads, made 8 tackles (without a miss) and, according to Sky Sport’s stats, had a 70% gainline success-rate and made 43 post-contact metres.
Speaking on Sky’s ‘The Breakdown’ panel show, All Blacks centurion Muliaina and 1987 World Cup winner Kirwan, who played 63 tests for New Zealand between 1984 and ‘94, both spoke out on the importance of Barrett being allowed to continue in the No 12 role on the northern tour, and potentially through to the 2023 World Cup.
“It’s going to give Ian Foster a big headache,” said Muliaina who started eight tests at centre during his All Blacks career. “I would [pick him at 12]. He hasn’t shied away from it. I think now you’ve got a complete package in terms of the second five role. He kicks, his passing ability and those carries, when you need someone just to run it straight. Why not?”
Kirwan, who has been a big proponent of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck getting more opportunity at 12, said the Aucklander remained on the bench until the 70th minute because the All Blacks were hunting the bonus point and because Barrett was “nailing it”.
“Jordie was on fire,” said Kirwan on the show. “Yes, he should be our 12 moving forward; yes, you should play him there on the northern tour, because if Richie Mo’unga is going to stay at 10 and Beaudy (Barrett) at fullback, I think Richie would love to have someone like Jordie outside him, so he can do a bit of dancing, but if it’s not on he can unload it to Jordie.
“I loved his subtle angles, so running at the man and then hitting his inside shoulder. Those tough lines are not easy to run to get [the team] over the advantage line. He got [the All Blacks] going forward and made a big difference to our attack.”
Importantly, Foster seems to be coming round to a similar viewpoint. After being a reluctant convert to the Jordie at 12 bandwagon, the All Blacks coach jumped on board for the Rugby Championship finale when he lost both regular starter David Havili and chief backup Quinn Tupaea to injury.
And, like The Breakdown’s duo, he was suitably impressed with Barrett’s body of work over 80 compelling minutes on Eden Park.
Foster called it a “phenomenal” performance after the game and by Sunday he was ready to concede the supersized midfield of Barrett and Ioane was now a compelling option moving forward.
“Like everything, it’s all about timing,” said the All Blacks coach. “He’s deserved his chance to go in there, and what a great athlete. He’s played well for us at fullback and on the wing, and now he’s played really well for us at 12. He had a big impact and it’s given us plenty to think about.”
Both Muliaina and Kirwan also urged Foster to play his strongest lineup through the three tests against Wales, Scotland and England to wrap up the northern tour in November.
”He needs to continue that momentum,” said Muliaina. “If they go over there and hammer that northern tour with four wins … on the back of what they’ve been through, leading into the World Cup that’s important.
“But If they come back from the tour and they’ve lost a couple, or even lost one, the doubts will start to creep back in and that could be a real concern leading into the World Cup next year.”
Kirwan said the fringe players should be run out against Japan, and after that it needed to be the strongest possible lineups. “Foster needs to be to relatively selfish with his combinations,” he said. “If we think Jordie is the man going forward, he’s got to play as many test matches as he can there.”
Both also urged patience with Tuivasa-Sheck, with Kirwan suggesting the offers from NRL clubs were already rolling in for a player who could be squeezed out of the midfield mix when Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue return.
”Circumstances haven’t helped Roger,” said Muliaina. “The thing he’s lacking at the moment is time … at the moment his attacking game is outstanding and it’s just those little things you don’t have to think about when you’ve been playing the game for years and years.”
Kirwan said he needs to see more of Tuivasa-Sheck before making a definitive judgement on whether he makes the RWC cut.
”What I’ve noticed is our short kicking game, our manipulative attack game, has now gone to the foot of 12, so he’s going tp have to show us that on the northern tour. I hope he doesn’t go back (to league). I hope he stays for a few years yet.”
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