New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen insists he’ll give no sympathy to Beauden Barrett as the fly-half prepares for his first start of the autumn for the All Blacks’ final clash with Wales.
Having sat out the clash with the USA at Soldier Field in Chicago, Barrett replaced Aaron Cruden midway through the second half of the 24-21 defeat of England at Twickenham.
The 23-year-old returned to a role in the stands as the All Blacks moved north to beat Scotland 24-16, but he will now start as New Zealand wrap up their autumn campaign against Wales.
Dan Carter drops out altogether having started against Scotland, while Cruden is also not included in the squad, and Hansen is expecting Barrett to deliver exactly the same as the All Blacks’ other fly-halves.
“You want them to drive your team around the park,” Hansen told WalesOnline. “The ten is your main computer, the guy who has to absorb all the information that is coming in and then make good decisions.
“He’s the guy who will handle most of the ball. You want him to make good decisions and defend bravely. You want him to use the assets he’s got. Beauden’s quick and has got a good kicking game.
“A lot has been made about Beauden playing ahead of everyone else. We are very fortunate to have four outstanding five-eighths, one of whom is coming back from injury and is probably a little bit rusty if you think about his best form.
“He’s (Carter) probably not on his best form but even at half his best he’s still a pretty handy player while the other three have been great all year.
“Beauden’s making great progress but what we need is, for any five-eight, is front-foot ball so the contest will be won up front.”
