The invaluable ‘quality’ that ‘class’ Beauden Barrett offers the All Blacks coaches

All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen was full of praise for the influence of Beauden Barrett at the start of the Scott Robertson era.

Barrett showed his class and experience in both Tests against England where his kicking game won the first match and his running ability won the second before sparkling against Fiji in San Diego.

Influential

His performances in those Tests not only firmly shut down any opinion that he is done at 33 years of age but underlined just how important he will be in this World Cup cycle.

Hansen was very clear in highlights the oldest Barrett’s ability and issued a reminder of how critical his versatility is for the team.

“Beaudy is absolute class and we’ll get him on the field where we can,” assistant coach Hansen told media on Monday.

“His quality is ‘you just put me where you need me to be coaches’ and he’s done that so well for us. The way he’s led our weeks. The clarity and composure whether that be at 10 or fullback, the influence he’s had on this group has been massive the last three Tests.

“He has the ability to play 10 and lead us around the field as a first ball player, he also has quality of control as a full-back as well. You’ve seen the way we play, it’s very likely Beauden is on one side of the ruck with Dmac (Damian McKenzie) on the other, so we see those roles as having the ability to influence our attack.”

All Blacks squad winners and losers including ‘world-class’ Will Jordan and ‘axed’ scrum-half

Where to deploy him?

It will be interesting to see how he is deployed now that Will Jordan has returned. Robertson has already said that he sees the Crusaders man as a full-back so there could be a shake-up in the backline on its way.

There are options aplenty whether they want to use Barrett as 10 or 15 or even as an impact player from the bench.

READ MORE: All Blacks: Scott Robertson reveals where he will play ‘world-class’ Will Jordan