Neil Barnes on Beauden Barrett: ‘He’s earned his stripes from what he does on the paddock’

All Blacks senior assistant coach Neil Barnes defended the selection of veteran Beauden Barrett in New Zealand's 34-man squad for the Bledisloe Cup against the Wallabies. Speaking to Sport Nation NZ, Barnes stated that Barrett was chosen on merit because he remains the next best player across multiple positions and brings vital experience to the squad ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup.

Barrett was named in the outside-backs group, with Josh Jacomb and Richie Mo'unga selected as first-fives while Ruben Love remains sidelined by an ankle injury. Barnes acknowledged that Mo'unga is the front-runner for the starting fly-half role, but emphasized that the 145-Test veteran Barrett provides crucial depth across the backline.