Beauden Barrett will start at five-eighth for the All Blacks against Wales this weekend for one simple reason.
It’s his turn.
Barrett fought off world-class rivals Aaron Cruden and Dan Carter to earn the hotly contested No.10 jersey for the fourth and final Test of New Zealand’s tour.
Neither Cruden nor Carter even made the reserve bench in coach Steve Hansen’s strongest team.
The versatile Colin Slade is the reserve playmaker in Cardiff because of his ability to cover other positions.
There are 13 starting changes from the team who beat Scotland 24-16 last week, with Ben Smith retained at fullback and Richie McCaw at flanker for his 100th Test as captain.
It closely resembles the side who beat England 24-21 two weeks ago at Twickenham, with two changes made to the backline.
Hansen has rewarded Charles Piutau for a fine display against Scotland with a slot on Smith’s right wing.
Israel Dagg relinquishes the No.15 jersey to Smith, whose form is superior, Hansen said.
The other change is Barrett’s promotion in place of Cruden, who also started the tour-opener against the United States.
Barrett, who was the first-choice five-eighth last month, has played 21 minutes on tour, off the bench at Twickenham.
It is the least action for any of Hansen’s 37 tourists.
However, the coach revealed the electric 23-year-old was always in line to start at Millennium Stadium.
“We’re using this tour to find out more about the guys we’ve got,” Hansen said.
“We’ve seen Crudes on this tour in one of the big games against England. We wanted to see Beauden against one as well.”
Hansen was unconcerned about the lack of recent rugby for Barrett, who started three consecutive Tests last month.
World record Test points-scorer Dan Carter was a chance to be named on the bench but Hansen says the 32-year-old’s mixed performance in his first start for a year against Scotland counted against him.
“It’s impossible to ask a guy to have as much time off as he’s had and not be rusty,” Hansen said.
“If he had really shown that he didn’t have too much rust then maybe we’d have thought about it.”
Slade’s elevation is one of two changes to the reserves bench from Twickenham. The other is prop Ben Franks making way for Joe Moody.
Strapping backs Julian Savea and Sonny Bill Williams will both start, ensuring they have played in all four tour Tests.
Prop Charlie Faumuina, flanker Liam Messam, halfback TJ Perenara and utility back Ryan Crotty will achieve the same thing if used off the bench.
Messam has been among the reserves for every Test.
All Blacks: Ben Smith, Charles Piutau, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Joe Moody, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Liam Messam, TJ Perenara, Colin Slade, Ryan Crotty.
