All Blacks coach Ian Foster on the Bledisloe, Rugby Championship schedule and finally getting back into test rugby. Video / Mark Mitchell
The All Blacks will field a fairly familiar team for the opening Bledisloe Cup test on Sunday, but within it dwells some chunks of controversy.
So much so Wallabies coach Dave Rennie was caught off guard by one call his opposite made.
For his first test at the helm of the All Blacks, Ian Foster picked a backline that continued the Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett dual-playmaker experiment that was used throughout their 2019 season.
Rieko Ioane will partner Jack Goodhue in the midfield, while George Bridge and Aaron Smith hold onto their positions on the left wing and at halfback.
On the right edge however will feature the typical fullback Jordie Barrett, which prompted Rennie to raise his eyebrows.
"I think the only guy I didn't have in there was Jordie Barrett on the wing," he says.
"I thought Anton Lienert-Brown would be at 12, maybe move Goodhue out and have Rieko on the wing. But Jordie has been in such great form, I guess they need to find a place for him."
Jordie Barrett will start on the right wing for the All Blacks in Sunday's Bledisloe Cup test. Photo / Photosport
Barrett's started three games on the wing for the All Blacks, and has scored five tries, including four against Italy in Rome at the end of 2018. But his last appearance on the edge came off the bench against England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup semifinals, a loss that ended New Zealand's hopes of a third successive World Cup win.
In his two appearances against the Wallabies, Barrett has come off the bench to cover fullback and first-five.
Barrett's selection also - partially - forces some key names out of the matchday 23. With TJ Perenara, Lienert-Brown and debutant Caleb Clarke filling the 21 through 23 jerseys, Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece and Will Jordan miss out.
Regardless, Rennie sees quality spread across the park.
"It's a hell of a side," he says.
"There's not a lot of weaknesses there. We're going to have to defend really well, and defend for long passages. We need to be really aggressive to try and force them to kick or to try and turn over some pill."
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie admits he was surprised to see Jordie Barrett's name on the team sheet. Photo / Photosport
Barrett's inclusion will add a third playmaking option alongside his older brother and Mo'unga, should it be needed. It also means there is no cover for first receiver off the bench.
Rennie anticipates the Wallabies' defence will be worked hard against a potent attack.
"We've got a plan… we're well aware of the power and the game that the All Blacks will play," he says.
"We've put a lot of emphasis around defence, we know that's going to be really important. The teams that have beaten the All Blacks in the past have limited them to less than 15-16 points so that's our challenge."
Meanwhile, the Wallabies have elected for an extra playmaker to facilitate attack, with James O'Connor starting at first-five and Matt To'omua named at inside centre.
