MY ACCOUNT
Beauden Barrett is fit to return for New Zealand when they go in search of revenge against Argentina on Saturday.
Barrett missed the Pumas’ first-ever away victory over the All Blacks last weekend due to a neck injury, but he is back in contention for the Rugby Championship clash at FMG Stadium Waikato.
The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year said: “I’m feeling really good, sun’s on the back, beautiful Hamilton day, and good to get a full training under my belt, too.”
He quipped: “I’ve realised that I’ve got to get a neck like a front rower to be able to handle these knocks, so I’ve been working hard on it in the gym with Pete [All Blacks physio Pete Gallagher].
“A few more shoulder-on tackles, and I’d say I’m just about ready to go.”
The All Blacks have lost four out of six Tests this year and are third in the Rugby Championship table after their historic loss to Michael Cheika’s men in round three.
Barrett says the All Blacks will stick with their principles but are prepared to adapt.
“We don’t want to be like other teams,” he added. “We’ve still got to be the expressive All Blacks that we know we can be.
“When the pressure comes on, we want to run the ball, keep it in hand, it’s just what feels so natural to us.
“We’ve identified that in games that we’ve lost, we may need to kick the ball a little bit more, it seems unnatural, but it’s just being aware of that.
“And looking to attack in different ways – everyone on our feet, chasing kicks, getting those 50-50 bounces or flooding rucks and looking for turnovers that way. We are figuring out the way that we want to play.”
