It was also clear that Barrett, 34, struggled to get on the same page as Robertson, the former Crusaders head coach who was dismissed from the All Blacks in January, halfway through his tenure.<\/p>\n
While the relationship was probably workable, Barrett appeared to struggle with Robertson\u2019s views on the game. Regardless, the whole saga of the head coach losing his job weighed heavily on him and his teammates.<\/p>\n
Beauden Barrett on rugby return, new ABs coach and fatherhood – Watch on TVNZ+<\/a><\/p>\n It was a fallout made worse for the fact it involved his brother Scott, made captain by Robertson and who did not appear to have an easy time of it over the past two years.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not easy to deal with what\u2019s happened over the last few months. As a captain and as a player supporting him and Razor, we do feel a bit of that,\u201d Barrett said of brother Scott, who is using his non-playing sabbatical at the Crusaders for surgery and a well-deserved break.<\/p>\n Asked whether he was involved in the process to appoint Rennie<\/a>, Beauden Barrett \u2013 speaking after Blues training in Auckland today \u2013 replied: \u201cYeah, I was part of a large group that was part of the whole process really around the reviews and so on.\u201d<\/p>\n Beauden Barrett in action for the All Blacks against Scotland at Murrayfield last year. (Source: Photosport)<\/p>\n Asked about Rennie, who led the Chiefs to two titles \u2013 their first (and only) \u2013 in 2012 and 2013, he said: \u201cI\u2019ve played against him many times and I remember those Chiefs teams in those early years and how tough they were and the success that they had. He\u2019s certainly a man I have a lot of respect for.\u201d <\/p>\n Have you spoken to him? \u201cNo, but we have a leadership chat lined up in the near future.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s pretty keen on moving forward and to connect.\u201d<\/p>\n Barrett \u2013 who has played 145 Tests and closing in on record-holder Sam Whitelock (153) as the All Blacks\u2019 most capped player \u2013 added: \u201cI\u2019ve always been chips in with whoever the coach has been. I\u2019m just focusing on playing well for the Blues. I\u2019m not taking anything for granted. It\u2019s nice to be included in a call with Dave soon and to get the ball rolling for him for planning purposes.<\/p>\n \u201cSpeaking to Anton Lienert-Brown and Ardie Savea and Brodie Retallick up at Kobe, with two of them with their experience under him at the Chiefs, it\u2019s only positive. As a player it\u2019s exciting. Obviously, we\u2019re not sure who our assistant coaches will be \u2013 that will come out in due course.\u201d<\/p>\n Barrett, who played 80 minutes for the Blues on Saturday<\/a> in his first appearance for the franchise after an extended break, added that Rennie\u2019s statement about players needing to prove themselves anew was appropriate. <\/p>\n After leaving the Chiefs, Rennie coached at Glasgow and is a former head of the Wallabies before being let go in 2023. He is now at Kobe in Japan and will return in May.<\/p>\n \u201cWith Dave not coaching in New Zealand at the moment there\u2019s even more of that uncertainty and so there should be,\u201d Barrett said. \u201cWe should be earning that right to be an All Black and earning selection in June or July or whenever it is.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Beauden](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/beauden-barrett-in-action-for-the-all-blacks-against-scotlan-KTWIYKSEIBC7DCS46WHVJDJGIQ.jpg\")
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