The appointment of new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has been praised for keeping star playmaker Beauden
Barrett in the New Zealand team after his second stint in Japan in 2024. Robertson knows a great insurance policy
when he sees one.
Following the official confirmation on Monday of Barrett’s resigning, which was first reported by Stuff on Sunday
and initially brought up by Barrett in February of this year, the new All Blacks coach enthusiastically endorsed the
ground-breaking agreement that will see the 123-cap Barrett play for New Zealand until the end of the 2027 season,
with the possibility of a fourth World Cup appearance.
Barrett will play for Toyota Verblitz in the 2023–24 Japan League One season, but he will shortly return to New
Zealand and be eligible for the All Blacks later in the year thanks to his new contract with NZ Rugby. He also
participated in the 2021 season for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan as required by his previous contract’s sabbatical
provision.
Barrett is also set to return to Super Rugby Pacific, as revealed by Stuff on Sunday. The Auckland-based Blues will be
a major part of the financial package that would enable the two-time global player of the year to remain in the New
Zealand rugby competition starting in 2025.
Robertson recognized once the news was released that it was a significant departure for the All Blacks as well as the
Blues. Due to Richie Mo’unga, the current national number 10, signing a three-year contract with the Toshiba Brave
Lupus in Japan, Barrett’s retention provides the incoming All Blacks coach with invaluable first-receiver experience.
Robertson remarked, “Beauden brings an enormous amount of class to the table.” “There is a reason he is the
second-most-capped All Black in history, and his knowledge and experience in our game is a testament to his
loyalty.”
Naturally, Barrett is equally proficient at first five and fullback, though Robertson may be more likely to deploy him
in the latter role.
Robertson’s decision to move star outside back Will Jordan back to his preferred fullback position, where he excelled
under the new national coach at the Crusaders, is almost certain. Barrett would then be left to cover No. 10 alongside
players like young Blues and Taranaki playmaker Stephen Perofeta and skilled utility Damian McKenzie.
Robertson may also look to players like Shaun Stevenson, David Havili, and McKenzie to supply extra backup at No.
15, especially with loose forwards Ardie Savea and Sam Cane returning after one-season stays in Japan in 2024.
However, Barrett’s expertise is somewhat in the background at 10. Perofeta played in just three international
matches under Ian Foster in 2022 before being cut from the national team in 2023, and McKenzie has only started
five tests for the All Blacks there.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
