He appears to be behind Ruben Love in the No.10 pecking order but, while head coach Dave Rennie has stated his team for the first Test against the Springboks on August 23 is all but settled, there will be room to manoeuvre, a point that would have been driven home to the 144-Test veteran, plus others in the most contestable positions such as loose forward Simon Parker, wing Rieko Ioane and lock Fabian Holland.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very grateful for the opportunity,\u201d Barrett said at a news conference this morning. \u201cIt [the break] has been a good chance to work on my game and at the same time freshen up a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beauden Barret on resisting temptation to overplay his hand in Cape Town – Watch on TVNZ+<\/a><\/p>\n Asked about how he felt Rennie\u2019s attack-focused game plan would suit him, Barrett replied with a focus on the team\u2019s ambitions, saying: \u201cIt\u2019s our DNA \u2013 it\u2019s how we like to play and arguably how we used to play and there\u2019s a nice free-flowing element to it.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fans probably want to see more of a free-flowing game so the rules adapt all the time around creating a game that allows us to do that. Of course, there are always going to be stoppages in play, but referees are more aware of those stoppages and don\u2019t allow as many. With that you\u2019ve obviously got to be more skilful and fitter because the ball is in play more.\u201d<\/p>\n However, he added: \u201cI know how excited I am and I\u2019m conscious that I don\u2019t want to overdo it either \u2013 overplay. It\u2019s about containing that and making good decisions. There have been a few weeks between games for me. There may be a tendency to rip in but it\u2019s about controlling those emotions and temptations and just backing myself and my preparation.\u201d<\/p>\n The other intriguing and, depending on your point of view, heart-warming element to Barrett\u2019s selection is the fact he is up against Jaqeen Ahmed, a 20-year-old rising star who has said he worshipped Barrett as a youngster.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel honoured I was once looked up to by him,\u201d Barrett said after he was informed of Ahmed\u2019s admiration.<\/p>\n \u201cAs All Blacks, we\u2019re always trying to do our best to inspire kids across the globe, not just in New Zealand.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s pretty cool we have a chance to go head-to-head. I\u2019ll certainly make sure I chat to him after the game and share a cold drink because he\u2019s certainly the future.\u201d<\/p>\n All Blacks loose forward Simon Parker carries the ball against Australia at Eden Park last year. (Source: Photosport)<\/p>\n Others with big opportunities<\/a> are Parker, named at blindside flanker after not being involved in any of the three Tests last month, plus Ioane, starting in the No.11 jersey after his sabbatical in Ireland.<\/p>\n The loose forward trio will be among the most contestable throughout the tour but particularly in the early stages in the absence of Ardie Savea, who has remained in New Zealand ahead of the first Test in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n Parker will start with No.8 Wallace Sititi and openside flanker Peter Lakai on Saturday, with Ethan Blackadder, named as one of the 10 newcomers to the squad<\/a> alongside uncapped loosie Semisi Tupou Ta\u2019eiloa, on the reserves bench at DHL Stadium.<\/p>\n Realistically, Parker is in a race against the highly-regarded Anton Segner, who made his debut last month, Sititi, Blackadder and potentially Lakai for a spot in the first Test team. Segner and openside flanker Luke Jacobson will presumably play a part for the All Blacks in their game against the Sharks in Durban on Wednesday NZT.<\/p>\n![\"All](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/all-blacks-loose-forward-simon-parker-carries-the-ball-again-IBTTK4LRSZCMTKD7275TCS4AJM.jpg\")
<\/p>\n