Dan Carter weighs into Beauden Barrett v Damian McKenzie debate and why All Blacks ‘values’ are key in fly-half battle
Damian McKenzie and Beauden in discussion, and All Blacks legend Dan Carter.
All Blacks legend Dan Carter believes that Scott Robertson is ‘lucky’ to have fly-halves the calibre of Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett available to him.
Once again, those two outstanding playmakers will vie for the coveted New Zealand number 10 shirt after going head-to-head throughout 2024.
In Robertson’s first year in charge, McKenzie was initially the favoured option, but his mixed performances in the jersey led to an alteration in the second half of the season.
Barrett favoured
By the end of the year, Barrett was in the driver’s seat and was favoured by the head coach as he started against England, France and Italy in the Autumn Nations Series.
“I think they’re really lucky to actually have two quality players,” Carter told RugbyPass.
“We all know the attacking capabilities of Beauden and what he’s capable of but having his experience there to kind of rely on him when we need, you just know what you’re going to get from him on a consistent basis.
“And DMac, he’s still growing and learning and the lessons that he would’ve learned from last year would’ve been huge for him and really helped guide him in the future.
“I’d hate to be Scott Robertson at the moment, trying to decide between the two. Just to have two quality players like that in the 10 jersey is really beneficial.”
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Barrett did miss the Ireland encounter in November last year due to a head injury, which allowed McKenzie to step in and produce his best performance of the year for the All Blacks.
He has been looking to build on that in 2025 and the Chiefs playmaker has been in fine form in Super Rugby Pacific so far this season.
His rival, meanwhile, has been playing in an underperforming Blues outfit, who have won just two of their seven matches and reside in 10th position in the table.
‘Healthy competition’
“It would’ve been tough for [McKenzie] at the backend of the season, having worked so hard and played a key role in the 10 jersey for the majority of the season,” Carter added.
“But that competition is healthy. I know they’re both really good mates. They’ll be helping each other on and off the pitch as well and that’s one of the values of the All Blacks – it’s always a team-first mentality.
“They’ll both be competing and pushing against each other but also helping each other along the way as well and doing what’s best for the team. Pretty lucky to have such quality there.”
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