Wallabies coach Dave Rennie reveals that he was not expecting Jordie Barrett to start on the wing when the All Blacks meet the Wallabies in the first Bledisloe Cup Test tomorrow.
For his first test at the helm of the All Blacks, Ian Foster picked a backline that continued the Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett dual-playmaker experiment that was used throughout their 2019 season.
Rieko Ioane will partner Jack Goodhue in the midfield, while George Bridge and Aaron Smith hold onto their positions on the left-wing and halfback.
On the right wing however will feature fullback Jordie Barrett, which prompted Rennie to raise his eyebrows.
He says the only player he did not expect was Jordie Barrett starting at wing.
Rennie says he thought Anton Lienert-Brown would be at 12, and Goodhue and Ioane on the wing, but Jordie has been in such great form and the All Blacks will need to find a place for him.
Barrett's started three games on the wing for the All Blacks and has scored five tries, including four against Italy in Rome at the end of 2018. But his last appearance, he came off the bench against England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup semifinals, a loss that ended New Zealand's hopes of a third successive World Cup win.
In his two appearances against the Wallabies, Barrett has come off the bench to cover fullback and first-five.
Barrett's selection also forces some key names out of the matchday 23 with TJ Perenara, Lienert-Brown and debutant Caleb Clarke filling the 21 through 23 jerseys, while Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece and Will Jordan missing out.
The All Blacks will face the Wallabies at 3pm tomorrow.
[Source: NZ Herald]
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