'A very emotional week': All Blacks centurion on family, history and loss

On a special night for Beauden Barrett in Cardiff thoughts drifted back home to those past and present, to the many contributors who helped him achieve his 100th test milestone for the All Blacks.

Barrett claimed two intercept tries and was named man of the match ahead of Ardie Savea as the All Blacks toasted their 11th test centurion with a compelling 54-16 victory over a heavily-depleted Welsh side on Sunday morning.

All test centurions ride waves of emotions leading into their big dance. Barrett was no different. Being away from home, with his family unable to travel in the circumstances, changed the complexion of his occasion.

After turning it on for the 74,500 sell-out crowd Barrett made special mention of Bob Graham, his wife Hannah's grandfather who played 103 games for and captained Auckland but passed away last week.

"It's been a tough two weeks for my family, for Hannah's family, losing someone very close to us in her grandfather Bob," Barrett said. "It was nice to put a performance out there for him, my family and myself.

"He was an exceptional man who I got really close to. He was like another grandfather figure for me up in Auckland. He touched me a lot in my life. It's tough being away from family when these things happen.

"It was a very emotional week and a very emotional two weeks. Because of the amount of support and love that's flooded my inbox; those who have been there since day one. I've reminisced a fair bit and it brings back some great memories.

"It was hard. I didn't train that well this week there was a lot on my mind. I just wanted to enjoy it and play well. It was such a cool place to play my 100th. To have a performance like that I was super proud."

Barrett had brother Jordie on the pitch throughout and long-time friend TJ Perenara gave a touching tribute after presenting his former Hurricanes team-mate with his commemorative cap post-match.

While now residing in Auckland, Barrett will forever be a Taranaki man at heart. His family, unable to travel amid the pandemic restrictions, celebrated his achievement with a hearty local presence at their dairy farm.

"They sure are. Dad has a keg of Guinness and a ham on I think they're having a lunch there today. My family all went around and watched the game so they'll be making the most of Sunday. Special time on lower Parihaka road.

"When I reminisced throughout the week I thought of all the people who have supported me throughout my journey from when it started at the Coastal rugby club right through to this moment. Those in Taranaki, my family, Hannah at home with little Billie allowing me to do what I'm doing."

New Zealand perform the hakka prior to the Autumn International match between Wales and New Zealand at Principality Stadium. Photo / Getty Images.

Barrett made his test debut off the bench against Ireland in New Plymouth nine years ago. He's since won a World Cup and twice been crowned world player of the year. While his outlook has evolved dramatically in that time, the 30-year-old has no plans to take the foot off the gas anytime soon.

"It's a lot different from when I first started out. I was a very raw young boy from Taranaki who was all out attack. I had little cameos off the bench here and there.

"Now I'm a more senior player in the team and having a lot more responsibility in my life I view the game a little bit differently; there's a bigger picture and I'm more conscious of that and do things for different reasons now. It's all part of growing up, but I'm still very driven and determined. I've got plenty left in the tank."

All Blacks coach Ian Foster praised Barrett's temperament after his side's record-equalling 38-point win.

"He couldn't have scripted it better in many ways," Foster said. "He guided us through a tense time in the first 40-50 minutes and you're always going to get that when you come up here. I couldn't be prouder of his game."

On the back of their 104-14 romp against the USA the All Blacks have now scored 158 points in seven days. They have also claimed 89 tries in 11 tests this year, and with Italy in Rome next week are odds on to crack 100 with two vastly tougher outings in Dublin and Paris to follow.

Beauden Barrett of New Zealand celebrates scoring his sides sixth try during the Autumn International match between Wales and New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images.

"This group is in a good spot we're working hard for each other," Foster said. "Clearly we've had quite a few obstacles and adversity. Even though it's our seventh test in nine weeks we still had a number of guys who hadn't played for a few weeks and you could see some of that in the first part of our game where we were ironically a little rusty after all this time away together.

"We're delighted with that win; coming here, putting on 50, finishing strong and having a number of newer guys feel what it's like to play in the Northern Hemisphere where everything doesn't go your way and teams know how to pressure you."

Savea was the standout figure for the All Blacks off the back of the scrum with his leg drive, work-rate and ability to get over the ball shining through.

Foster highlighted his team's defensive and set piece pressure and singled out Will Jordan, who claimed his 16th try in 11 tests, labelling his a coming-of-age performance.

Foster also moved to allay fears of a potentially serious shoulder injury to Brodie Retallick after he left the field with 20 minutes remaining.

"It's not so much his shoulder it's just below but he looks alright he was eating pizza when I left the shed."

Foster's juggling act is far from over but, for now, the All Blacks have multiple reasons to cherish their commanding Cardiff evening.