news-engine

Beauden Barrett provides blunt Scott Robertson hint as All Blacks playing like ‘we used to’ under Dave Rennie Beauden Barrett, Scott Robertson and an inset of All Blacks coach Dave Rennie. The All Blacks are playing a style of rugby that better suits their DNA, according to veteran playmaker Beauden Barrett. The former World Rugby Player of the Year will earn his first start under new head coach Dave Rennie on Friday evening in the opening match of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour against the Stormers and gets his opportunity to run the team’s attacking structures. New Zealand’s attack was heavily scrutinised under Scott Robertson, and there has been a clear change under Rennie’s tutelage, with the head coach employing the services of ex-Scotland scrum-half Mike Blair. All Blacks’ improved attack Speaking to the media in Cape Town, Barrett credited the improved attacking structures to the success of the New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific teams, with the Hurricanes breaking the competition’s record for the most tries in a single season. Having run the All Blacks attack in well over 100 Tests, there is perhaps no person better placed to comment on the way the team operates with ball in hand, having also played under three previous coaches, than Barrett. According to him, the All Blacks are now playing to their DNA, and in a way they used to – suggesting they weren’t doing so under Robertson. “There’s been a good flow on from the success of the Super Rugby teams, and in some way it’s reasonably consistent with the way that Dave wants to play and Mike Blair – so, it’s really positive,” he said. “It’s our DNA, like it’s how we like to play, how we arguably used to play, and there’s a nice free-flowing element to it.” Wary not to overplay his hand With Ruben Love starting all three Test matches in July at fly-half with Damian McKenzie doing the same at full-back, Barrett wasn’t required against France, Italy and Ireland in the Nations Championship. The experienced campaigner is keen to get stuck in but wary not to overplay his hand. “I know how excited I am and I’m conscious that I don’t want to overdo it either, like overplay,” he explained. “It’s about containing that and making good decisions because there have been a few weeks between games for me. So there might be a tendency to really rip in and get stuck in, but at the same time it’s about controlling those emotions, those temptations and just backing myself in the preparation.” On the prospect of facing the Stormers, he added: “We’ve respectfully prepared accordingly around what we’re up against and who we’re up against. “The team has just been named, so we will continue to work on specifically the individuals that have been selected and can recall playing at Newlands; it is still in the top three stadiums for me. Playing against Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers – some great, great names as a Hurricane at the time. So, it’s just great to be back in Cape Town – we really feel the love and the support here in the city. “The Stormers obviously had a pretty successful season, making the semi-final, and we are very aware of their threats.” Verdict on South Africa’s Super Rugby exit Having spoken so fondly about his time in Cape Town with the Hurricanes, Barrett was asked if he missed having South African clubs in Super Rugby. Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust. “Yeah, that was a great competition. Obviously, Super Rugby continues to evolve. We’d love to still be able to travel here and play against those teams. However, we’re finding our own way in the current competition that’s certainly out of my control, but there are some great memories of traveling over here. “I think it’s the time off the field equally as much as the time on the field, but being exposed to those Super games here as a player, like it’s great preparation for Test match rugby. It’s certainly different playing in stadiums here in South Africa – very unique.”