“Beauden Barrett benched” – 5 Talking Points: Scott Robertson’s All Blacks Squad to face England in first test
Rugby NewsThursday, 04 July 2024 at 21:50
The first match day 23 of the Scott Robertson era has been named, with the All Blacks head coach unveiling his side to take on England this Saturday in Dunedin. The home of the Highlanders is set to encase a blockbuster battle, with the closed roof of Forsyth Barr Stadium set to be blown off by the first Test of the series.
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After 13 months of waiting, the surfing coach known as Razor finally has his hands on the All Blacks. The former Crusaders head coach has progressed up from Super Rugby to the Test match stage, and is eager to get the first match of his tenure under his belt.
Steve Borthwick named his England side two days before his Kiwi counterpart, with Robertson preferring for a traditional Thursday morning announcement. Despite having two extra days to assess and evaluate the selected England set-up, Robertson did not react to the squad set to ruin his launch party as head coach.
“No, we've named ours internally on the Tuesday so no, wouldn't react to that. And we thought there was going to be the team or close to it so we're prepared for that.”
With the battle lines drawn for the first of two Test matches, here are the five biggest talking points from Scott Robertson’s squad announcement, beginning with a blockbuster omission from the starting XV.
- Beauden Barrett benched – Talisman left amongst substitutes for first England Test
Fans of both England and the All Blacks would be immediately drawn to who is occupying New Zealand’s 23 jersey, as Beauden Barrett takes a seat amongst the replacements for the first Test. Whilst England fans would be delighted to see Barrett away from the fold for as long as possible, All Blacks fans may be asking questions on Robertson’s decision to name Blues fullback Stephan Perofeta at 15, as Chiefs playmaker Damian McKenzie takes the lead at fly half.
SCOTT ROBERTSON: “Yeah, oh look, you can see potentially how you've got over 100 tests outside him (Damien McKenzie) at centre in the 12 (Jordie Barrett) and 13 (Reiko Ioane) so you can bounce it out.
“Or maybe it's time for him (Beauden Barrett) to come on at the end and help them out. But the thing is, because Beauden’s covering 10 and 12, I've got Anton (Lienert-Brown) who’s played a few tests as well. I think that experience, as I mentioned, that’s critical.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Beauden Barrett of the New Zealand All Blacks scores his sides second try during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match between South Africa and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on October 24, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Steve Bardens - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
“He took it (being on the bench) like a true pro, whatever is required for this week. Like I said, he's covering a couple of positions and you can slot in at any time so no, he was great.”
“A little bit, that (Barrett’s experience) was all considered. Obviously the experience of 120 Test matches counts for a lot, but also a guy whose inform (Perofeta) good around the high ball, playing great footy. Just two weeks ago was in the Test level game (Super Rugby Final) in a final. Beauden can play his part, covering 10 and 15.”
- TJ Perenara back – Scrum half set for first All Blacks cap since Twickenham ‘22
Robertson made an interesting selection for his side at scrum half, as he picked TJ Perenara to take the nine shirt. The halfback’s last appearance for the All Blacks coincidentally was against England, in the 25-25 draw at Twickenham back in the Autumn of 2022.
Perenara returned to New Zealand this past season, after a three year sabbatical in Japan. The scrum half picked up from where he left off with the Hurricanes, and impressed throughout the Super Rugby campaign to win back his spot in the All Blacks starting line-up.
SCOTT ROBERTSON: “He picked himself for it, he's on form. You know, he's a competitor he has 80 Test matches in. He's played a lot, been round. He's the koro (Maori - elder man) we needed, he's owned a lot of this week and what's required. He's a Test match footballer.”
- Razor is ‘enjoying the energy’ of Dunedin ahead of first Test.
As enigmatic as head coaches come, Robertson is thriving in the All Blacks environment in Dunedin, as he prepares to oversee his first Test match in charge. The opening match is held at the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island, and despite the remote location of the world’s southernmost city, there is certainly a buzz around Dunedin as we approach match day.
SCOTT ROBERTSON: “Yeah, well you've got to enjoy it, that's one thing I've managed to do most of my career. I enjoy the energy of it that's created, like I said, with the people, and the Kiwis getting in behind us.
“This is starting to fill up, and old Dunedin, the bottom of the South, bottom of the world really in regards to the rugby side of it. You'll enjoy it, you're going to connect with and tap into it, you know, how things are run together. We walk, and we walk with people in the south this week.”
- Expectations of England – Razor is ready for a challenging Test with Borthwick’s side
The All Blacks head coach then turned his attention to his opponents, as England come to Dunedin looking for a rare win against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil. Such an accomplishment has only happened twice before, and Robertson is not underestimating the quality of Steve Borthwick’s side who have descended upon the Otago region of Aotearoa.
Joe Launchbury of England Rugby, Ben Youngs of England Rugby, Jonathan Joseph of England Rugby, Ollie Lawrence of England Rugby, Ellis Genge of England Rugby, Jonny May of England Rugby, Jamie George of England Rugby, Henry Slade of England Rugby and Owen Farrell, Captain of England Rugby line up for the national anthem during the Autumn Nations Cup match between England and Georgia at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on November 14 2020. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
SCOTT ROBERTSON: “Just on this Test match, what is it going to take for us to win? You know, they're a hell of a side, England. They're prepared well, Steve's a good coach, got a good coaching staff. So I think that's why there's so much excitement, so your focus goes to that.”
The strengths when they play, are a really good pressure game. When they get their kicks right and we know how aggressive on defence (they are) and can turn the ball over through their line speed, so there's a lot of the strengths.
“We are always looking to be on the opportunities, and no matter what part of it like, we can hold the ball and put ball pressure (on England) and create opportunities for us and our power athletes. Plan is on yeah.”
- “He took the white jersey” – Robertson gives his view on New Zealand born Chandler-Cunningham South who starts for England
Chandler Cunningham-South of England during the England Captains Run at Twickenham Stadium, London on 9 February 2024 (Photo: George Beck/PPAUK)
Starting in the back-row for England against the All Blacks is Chandler Cunningham-South, who was born and raised in New Zealand. The flanker grew up predominantly in Auckland upon New Zealand’s North Island, but also spent time in the South with Canterbury’s academy, before returning to North Harbour. Speaking on the Kiwi-born back-row who is now set to take on the All Blacks, Robertson said;
SCOTT ROBERTSON: “he's a big body, big power athlete. Yep. Chandler look, I'm really pleased for him. He had two options and he took the white jersey and he's made the most of it. I'm pleased for him.”
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