Former Test stars Justin Marshall and Morgan Turinui agree that the All Blacks should make the “big call” of dropping two-time world player of the year Beauden Barrett from the starting XV.
Barrett will start at fullback for New Zealand in Saturday’s blockbuster Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks in Auckland after starring in that position in Sunday’s 41-12 romp over the Pumas in Mendoza.
Coach Ian Foster has opted for Richie Mo’unga at No.10 against South Africa and there is no room in the 23 for Damian McKenzie, who performed strongly as the starting playmaker against Argentina.
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Crusaders fullback Will Jordan, who missed the trip to South America, will start on the right wing against the world champions at Mt Smart Stadium.
“The back three is the problem that New Zealand is really struggling with at the moment,” former All Blacks captain Marshall said on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.
“If he (Barrett) can’t start in his preferred position, which is 10, which he played all of the year at Super Rugby at, then why are we shifting the rest of the backline to fit in a player that is not position specific?
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“There’s Will Jordan, Shaun Stevenson and Damian McKenzie in the mix who are all fullbacks. But what the All Blacks want to do is shift the fullback in Jordan to the wing to fit Beauden Barrett in. And I’m not sure that that’s where we want to be come Rugby World Cup time.”
That assessment was bang on according to Turinui.
“I couldn’t agree more. Will Jordan is the best fullback in New Zealand. As simple as that, I’d be picking him every day of the week,” Turinui said.
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“But what an embarrassment of riches there is.”
Foster told reporters that Jordan would always be an option to play at fullback.
“Will wasn’t with us last week and I was pleased with Beaudy last week. I enjoyed his control,” Foster said.
“Also because Will wasn’t with us this is a chance for him to come in and get a bit of a groove going on the wing.”
ALL BLACKS (15-1): Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Braydon Ennor, Caleb Clarke
SPRINGBOKS (15-1): Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian Willemse, Faf de Klerk, Jasper Wiese, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth (c), Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff
Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Pieter Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok
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