All Blacks pick Beauden Barrett to start at flyhalf in 2nd test against Australia

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Beauden Barrett will start at flyhalf for the first time in almost two years in the All Blacks lineup to play Australia in the second Bledisloe Cup test on Saturday.

Barrett last played in the No. 10 jersey for New Zealand against Scotland in November 2022. Since then, he has mostly played at fullback with Richie Mo’unga and more recently Damian McKenzie at flyhalf.

The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year was moved to the bench for the second Rugby Championship test against South Africa and was named at fullback for last weekend’s first test against Australia but wasn't able to play because of an illness. New Zealand won the match to retain the Bledisloe Cup for the 22nd season.

Scott Robertson has made McKenzie his preferred flyhalf throughout his first season in charge. But the errors McKenzie made during last weekend’s test in Sydney contributed to New Zealand’s slump as it blew a 28-7 first half lead to win 31-28.

McKenzie has been inventive at times in the All Blacks’ attack but his play sometimes come under criticism and Robertson may be looking for more sound decision-making from his playmakers.

New Zealand’s inability to close out matches has been a major issue this season and it hasn’t scored a point in the final quarter of its last five tests. Robertson still is seeking a solution to that problem.

In other features of the team Robertson named Thursday for New Zealand’s last home match of the season, Anton Lienert-Brown joins Rieko Ioane in midfield to replace the injured Jordie Barrett. Barrett sustained a knee injury in last weekend’s match and now is in doubt for the All Blacks’ tour to Britain and France.

Former captain Sam Cane, who overcame a number of serious injuries to keep alive his test career, will play his 100th test match, becoming the 13th New Zealand to reach that mark. Beauden Barrett will play his 131st test to move up to 10th on the world list of most-capped players.

Cane and T.J. Perenara, who has been named at scrumhalf, both will be playing their last tests in New Zealand.

“This will be a particularly special night for Sam and T.J. and the boys will put in a performance that honors their contribution to this team,” Robertson said. “Sam will be joining an exclusive club of All Black centurions, which is testament to his fortitude and work ethic.

“As a Wellington man and the most-capped Hurricane of all time we know that T.J. is a crowd favorite in the capital and we look forward to him expressing himself on the field in front of friends and whanau (family) at home.”

McKenzie joins a reserves bench which includes David Havili, who has been named to cover midfield, and lock Patrick Tuipulotu, who returns from injury.

Winger Dylan Pietsch will make his first test start as one of two changes to Australia's backline by coach Joe Schmidt. Pietsch replaces Marika Koroibete, who has a wrist injury, while Jake Gordon returns at scrumhalf in place of Nic White.

Ben Donaldson displaces Tom Lynagh on the reserves bench and Josh Flook has been added to the squad.

Prop Isaac Kailea has been included on the bench in place of James Slipper, who broke the record for most test appearances for Australia when he earned his 140th cap last weekend.

“We didn’t help ourselves last weekend falling behind early to a fast moving, high tempo All Blacks side,” Schmidt said. “We will need to start better than we did last week, with the physical edge and accuracy required.”

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New Zealand: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, T.J. Perenara; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (captain), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Jacobson, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, David Havili.

Australia: Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson (captain), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, Angus Bell. Reserves: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakai-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Josh Flook.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby