All Blacks to unleash Beauden on Stormers

Head coach Dave Rennie has confirmed veteran playmaker Beauden Barrett will feature for the All Blacks in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry opener in Cape Town next week.

The 35-year-old Barrett is set for his first appearance under Rennie after sitting out New Zealand’s Nations Championship victories over France, Italy and Ireland, with Ruben Love preferred in the No 10 jersey.

The All Blacks launch their South African tour against the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium next Friday. 

Rennie said Barrett had earned his opportunity through his professionalism and attitude in camp.

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“I’ve said it before, Beauden really impressed me; he is training superbly, his contribution has been excellent, very professional. He’s been incredibly supportive of Ruben,” he told the media on Monday.

“It’s tough for him because he’s probably trained well enough to get an opportunity, but we felt that Ruben needed time in the seat and he’s done a really good job there, so Beauden gets his opportunity against the Stormers and is keen to rip in.”

Barrett is one of four flyhalves in the 44-man touring squad, alongside Love, Damian McKenzie and uncapped Josh Jacomb.

Rennie also revealed the All Blacks have already settled their matchday squads for the opening four fixtures of the August-September tour after travel disruptions forced the management to plan well in advance.

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The New Zealanders will travel to South Africa on multiple flights via Singapore, Hong Kong and Perth, rather than their original route through Dubai, with staggered arrivals prompting the early selections.

While the teams for clashes against the Stormers, Sharks, Vodacom Bulls and the opening Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park have been mapped out, Rennie said there remains room for adjustments based on form and fitness.

“Even the Test team that we picked, we picked it before the Irish Test, so that may change a little bit,” he said.

“But everyone will play in those first three games, which is great, and we’re going to share the load.”

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour fixtures
Friday, 7 August: vs Stormers, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Tuesday, 11 August: vs Sharks, Kings Park, Durban
Saturday, 15 August: vs Vodacom Bulls, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday, 22 August: vs Springboks, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Tuesday, 25 August: vs Lions, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday, 29 August: vs Springboks, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday, 5 September: vs Springboks, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday 12 September: vs Springboks, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore

Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images