Beauden Barrett has gone from being a bench game‑breaker to tactical leader.
That is the assessment of All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster, who admits the world champions are still coming to grips with the dynamics of different leaders following the departure of several greats.
The 26‑year‑old was criticised in some quarters this year for an apparent reduction of match‑winning moments in the drawn series against the British and Irish Lions.
There were flashes of brilliance in the two high‑scoring wins over Australia, including the vital last‑gasp try in Dunedin.
However, Foster says there is more to the first five‑eighth's game than the sizzle that marked his spectacular introduction to Test rugby, when he made 19 of his first 21 appearances off the bench, mostly as a counter‑attacking fullback.
He adds still at a young age he is adapting to a big leadership role.
The All Blacks will play Argentina at 7.35pm this Saturday while Australia will host South Africa at 10pm Saturday.
