Surprised Barrett ready to take his chance

Editor

All Blacks pivot Beauden Barrett admits that he wasn't expecting to get a starting role in their Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup opener against Australia in Sydney.

After the side for the Test was announced on Thursday, Barrett said he was used to coming off the bench and had been happy in that role, but getting the start this week was something he was excited about.

"I always aspired to wear that number 10 jersey," he told allblacks.com.

"In the past it has been coming off the bench which I have been really happy to do and that was my role for the team so now it's an opportunity for me to play well and put my hand up.

"Saturday night can't come any quicker but I don't want to play the game too soon so I am staying relaxed at this stage."

Barrett's form during the latter stages of the Hurricanes' triumphant Super Rugby campaign almost demanded him getting the starting role and he said it had been great to finish a campaign with a key win in the competition final, but again it had been on the back of a team playing well.

"I'm always looking to grow my game, I still have a lot of growth to do," he added.

"The key thing is I'm just enjoying my footy at the moment."