Rugby: All Blacks coach Ian Foster reveals reasoning behind controversial selections for first round of Bledisloe Cup

There was no set formula applied to select the first All Blacks team of the year. The form is rewarded in some cases; Experience favored in others, with three rookies ready to be unleashed from the powerful offensive-minded bank.

With so much world-class talent missing and the rotation secure in the coming weeks, there is no shortage of pressure to perform against the Wallabies in Wellington on Sunday.

As with any All Blacks team, the debate will continue until the start as to whether the selectors made the right decisions. The main points of contention are Beauden Barrett at fullback, pushing younger brother Jordie to the right wing. Rieko Ioane’s nod in the center, after starting 25 of his 29 training sessions down the left wing, reflects his ability to change the minds of the selectors.

Speaking of his All Blacks first team as head coach, Ian Foster admitted that Jordie Barrett was the best fullback in the country this season. But for the first round of the year, the All Blacks want to retain the Richie Mo’unga-Beauden Barrett dual combination used throughout 2019, while the younger Barrett’s form was too good to ignore.

“With this new team, having two great decision makers will help us get around the park. He’s a pick for this event,” Foster said of the Mo’unga-Barrett combo. “Beauden still wants to play 10 but we also know how influential he can be at 15.

“Probably the 15th form in the country has been Jordie. I think you’ll find him in the backfield anyway. We feel like we get the best of both worlds.”

Jordie Barrett has played 17 tryouts since 2017, showing his talents against the British and Irish Lions, but making some high-profile mistakes in that time as well. This season, however, he emerged from his brother’s shadow to mature his decision-making with the Hurricanes. His prodigious kick and physique were other common features.

“It’s clearly an area in the past where he made some mistakes, but he’s been a kid on a big stage and because of his talent he played some great test matches from a young age.

“How awesome has this year been? Becoming one of the key leaders on that Hurricanes team and taking control of a lot of situations, helping others has actually helped his game. I want to keep him in that space that I do not want”. I don’t want it to get into its shell. I want him to be influential, the more times he can participate, the better for us. “

Most believe fullback is the 23-year-old’s best position, but he’s content to keep Sevu Reece and Will Jordan off the team and keep rookie Blues wing Caleb Clarke, who is named on the bench, at bay. for the first time. George Bridge’s balance has been favored at the other extreme.

“I’m not going to fight that with my brother,” Jordie said of the fullback role. “He’s got the jersey and I’m just looking at the things I can do on the wing to help the team win.

“It’s been about a year since I had the opportunity to play alongside Beaudy. I will be happy with him and trying to react instinctively and showing up in different places will be good.”

In another confession, Foster confirmed that the All Blacks viewed Ioane as a wing center earlier this year. Ioane’s power of attack ability, his running line and speed, along with his improved defensive work in midfield for the Blues and the north side, altered those perceptions.

“We felt like he could play center, but we didn’t know how fast he was going to be,” Foster said after starting Ioane alongside Jack Goodhue in the new combination that leaves Anton Lienert-Brown on the bench. “He’s worked really well during the Blues campaign and he’s committed to it. We still like him on the wing, but he’s made such a compelling case that she’s changed her mind about him.

“To be honest, that was one of our toughest picks, midfield. We have great faith in Anton, we know he can do a job, but it’s a reward for Rieko’s form. He’s confident, he runs fast.”

The front group looks like an easier pick with Shannon Frizell legitimately claiming the blindside role after a series of brutal performances for the Highlanders. Blues mainstay Ofa Tuungafasi is another one who forcibly pushes his way past Nepo Laulala and demands a close head start.

At the start of this new cycle, following the defeat at the World Cup last year, the injection of youth from the bench, with Hoskins Sotutu, Clarke and Tupou Vaa’i set to debut, adds to the occasion.

“You see young people grow over the years,” Foster said. “They work hard to pursue a dream, then they smell it, then it becomes a reality and it assimilates and it’s a great moment. For the team, it shows that we have faith in our team and we know this is a year we’re going to need it.

“If they have the energy and have adjusted well, then let’s take them to the park.”

All the black people:

Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Sam Whitelock, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tuungafasi, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.

Reserves: Dane Coles, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke.