No room in All Blacks for Beauden Barrett against Ireland
Decorated flyhalf Beauden Barrett was once again omitted as New Zealand announced four starting changes on Thursday for the Nations Championship Test against Ireland in Auckland. Coach Dave Rennie said it was “tempting” to select 144-Test veteran Barrett for the first time this year but instead preferred the inexperienced Ruben Love in the number 10 […] The post No room in All Blacks for Beauden Barrett against Ireland appeared first on The Namibian .
Decorated flyhalf Beauden Barrett was once again omitted as New Zealand announced four starting changes on Thursday for the Nations Championship Test against Ireland in Auckland.
Coach Dave Rennie said it was “tempting” to select 144-Test veteran Barrett for the first time this year but instead preferred the inexperienced Ruben Love in the number 10 jersey for Saturday’s match at Eden Park.
The 35-year-old Barrett, one of the team’s most high-profile performers for more than a decade, is among just three players from the 34-strong New Zealand squad who has yet to be selected this year.
As with the Test wins over France and Italy, Love and fullback Damian McKenzie — who has played numerous Tests at flyhalf — will be employed as twin playmakers.
“We’re keen to keep those combinations going,” Rennie told reporters on Thursday.
