Jordie Barrett ‘wouldn’t look out of place’ in the back-row as Dave Rennie claims All Blacks star has ‘taken his game to another level’
Jordie Barrett in action against the Wallabies and All Blacks boss Dave Rennie.
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie and captain Codie Taylor have hailed the talents of Jordie Barrett, who continues to shine at Test level.
The 29-year-old once again impressed as New Zealand hammered the Wallabies 50-19 at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
Barrett was critical in helping his side retain the Bledisloe Cup for another year with the inside centre influential in both attack and defence.
Barrett’s defensive excellence
He was particularly excellent without the ball, putting in a number of thunderous tackles which sent Australians into reverse.
The Hurricanes man was always an outstanding player but he seems to have elevated his game since returning from a six-month stint with Leinster last year.
“He’s been phenomenal all year. He was outstanding in South Africa, I just think he’s taken his game to another level,” Rennie told reporters.
“It’s not just the skill set but he’s got a massive engine. His physicality, his defence, I thought he was excellent again.
“He had a little bit of a haematoma, we weren’t sure how long he would last after half-time but he was able to run that off and it was nice to sub him with about 10 to go.”
Barrett’s contributions haven’t gone unnoticed by his team-mates with Taylor also hailing what he brings to the side.
While he is a tremendously skilful individual, the All Blacks skipper particularly appreciates his physicality as he almost acts as an extra forward.
“He could probably have a six, seven or eight on his back and he wouldn’t look out of place. He’s one of those men who’s physical,” Taylor said.
“He of late hasn’t been saying too much but his actions on the field are world-class, he’s definitely earned the right to be called one of the best 12s, if not the best 12, in the world at the moment, not just through his attack but his brutality.
“Everything that he does, he’s physical, which is what you want to see as a forward when your 12 is prepared to throw his body into everything.”
Verdict on Damian McKenzie
Having Barrett at 12 certainly helped Damian McKenzie, who was standing in at fly-half after injuries to Richie Mo’unga and Ruben Love.
McKenzie had played all seven Tests at full-back in 2026, but he repaid Rennie’s faith by putting in a stellar showing in the 10 shirt on Saturday.
“He’s such a good player isn’t he? As I mentioned earlier in the week, we’ve lost Ruben and Richie but we’ve got the two guys who mostly played 10 last year, or the last few years, so we’re fortunate we’ve got really good depth there,” the All Blacks boss said.
“I thought Damian and Baz (Beauden Barrett) were really strong tonight.”
