Beauden Barrett needs a big performance, according to legendary All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson, after Damian McKenzie and Ruben Love impressed against France.<\/p>\n
In his first game in charge of the All Blacks, head coach Dave Rennie opted to reward Super Rugby Pacific form, handing Love the number 10 jersey after his heroics with the Hurricanes, whilst McKenzie started at full-back.<\/p>\n
With the duo in the starting XV, there was no need for additional full-back or fly-half cover in the matchday 23, meaning that for the first time since 2015, Barrett was not included in the first All Blacks teamsheet of the year.<\/p>\n
The double playmaker ploy paid dividends for Rennie as his charges marched to a 34-32 victory over France with both players enjoying fine performances, McKenzie putting his Super Rugby Pacific Final mare behind him.<\/p>\n
All Blacks\u2019 full-back options<\/p>\n
Love, McKenzie and Barrett are effectively fighting for the same positions in the All Blacks<\/a> teams with their ability to cover full-back and fly-half. Speaking on Sky Sports NZ\u2019s Breakdown show, Wilson argued that while McKenzie shone in the number 15 jersey, he doesn\u2019t believe he is the permanent choice in the role going forward.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, not yet, and for the reason that there are a number of players to come back into this environment, particularly one Richie Mo\u2019unga. So, when you talk about competition for position, you need to prove you are significantly better than everybody else,\u201d Wilson said during the \u2018Full 80\u2019 section of the show where he argued that McKenzie<\/a> shouldn\u2019t be the permanent full-back.<\/p>\n \u201cSo the All Blacks have options, and there is also versatility in how you want to play against different opposition, and they may want to see the likes of a Will Jordan or see whether or not Josh Morby has got the skill set and the nous to play at the international<\/a> level.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want to give yourself options that means you are not playing Damian McKenzie every single Test match at the full-back position. The competition is going to get very difficult, and there\u2019s another guy you\u2019re forgetting about: Beauden Barrett<\/a>. He has been world-class in the 15 jersey for the All Blacks before.\u201d<\/p>\n Legendary All Blacks full-back Mils Muliaina took the position that McKenzie is the first-choice, permanent full-back for Rennie\u2019s side. He argued that the team needs consistency in selection going forward.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is, and I go on Jeff\u2019s points: yes, there are so many other options, but right now, we need consistency. Let\u2019s have a guy that played well in there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Sir Graham Henry\u2019s verdict on Dave Rennie\u2019s opener as legendary coach admits new All Blacks style \u2018reasonably difficult but possible\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHe releases pressure for this for his 10s. His kicking ability: he gets long nice kicks. His organisation, particularly in the wider channels, nowadays, we\u2019re going out to some wider channels, and he\u2019s organising guys out there. He had to come into the 10 when a yellow card had happened. So, he\u2019s organised. He understands the pressure; he likes it.<\/p>\n \u201cAlso the kick pass from counterattack. We\u2019ve heard Dave Rennie talk about set piece and things to try and do. He\u2019s becoming aware of some of the opportunities this year. The downside, which he\u2019ll get better at, is the high ball. But also putting him out there and having consistency of game time, he\u2019ll be a lot better at that high ball. So, lock him in. He is also our best goal kicker.\u201d<\/p>\n All Blacks great proved wrong by surprising Dave Rennie decision as head coach finds player who can \u2018unlock Peter Lakai and Ardie Savea\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Ruben Love-Damian McKenzie axis<\/p>\n A lot has been made over the past few seasons about Will Jordan being selected on the wing, as many believe that the Crusaders star is the best full-back in the world. However, Rennie selected him on the wing in his first game in charge, with the outside back crossing for a brace of tries in the victory over Les Bleus.<\/p>\n Wilson backs the controversial selection as he believes that the dual playmaker axis worked wonders against the French.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve gone both ways around how we want to approach playing in our 15 position. And what I saw last in terms of skill set, the combination of Love and McKenzie and their ability to create with speed of their running game, they can hit holes that other players can\u2019t hit, their footwork, and then their passing skills,\u201d he remarked.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSo for me right now, he\u2019s my first choice, Damian McKenzie, but he\u2019s not the permanent option; they are two different things. I love this combination. I want to see them play again; Love and Mackenzie. I want to see them developing and understanding how we\u2019re playing, but there\u2019s a big thing here. Richie Mo\u2019unga is going to be available.<\/p>\n Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n \u201cSo for me, can Ruben Love at some point go back to 15 and do exactly the same thing that Damian McKenzie has done there? I certainly believe so. So we\u2019ve got options.\u201d<\/p>\n