Laurie Mains insists that if Beauden Barrett is to be a viable option at fly-half he must have a run of games in the position.
The 33-year-old was once the first choice pivot for New Zealand and was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017.
However, since 2019, he has switched between 10 and 15, and at the Rugby World Cup in 2023 was very much entrenched in the full-back role.
Fly-half role under Robertson
Barrett has generally continued in the 15 shirt under new All Blacks boss Scott Robertson, with Damian McKenzie at fly-half, but that was changed for the second Wallabies clash.
The centurion was moved to pivot and he impressed as New Zealand claimed a 33-13 triumph over Australia in Wellington.
“Unfortunately for the last four or five years, he’s been messed around. After getting two years in a row of being awarded world’s best player as a first five-eighth, he started getting moved to full-back and around that backline,” Mains told The Platform.
“He just needs a bit of time to settle. He wasn’t at his best, but there were glimpses of it, and he just needs a few games there to settle in and get familiar with the position again.
“What he needs to be told is: ‘You’re a first five-eighth, this is what we want you to concentrate on.’ Whether there are other players around that are good enough to step up, I don’t think so just at the moment.”
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Other options
McKenzie started the first eight games of Robertson’s reign but it produced mixed results and performances, both individually and as a team.
The head coach therefore took the decision to shift Barrett into the number 10 role, demoting the 29-year-old to the bench.
Away from those two, their options are limited. Stephen Perofeta could come into the reckoning when he returns from injury, while Blues team-mate Harry Plummer made his Test debut in Bledisloe I.
Mains does not currently see a playmaker that can challenge Barrett and McKenzie for the fly-half jersey, although he has made a bold prediction about one possible contender.
“I haven’t seen anyone really stand out, although I do suspect that the young Highlanders first five-eighth (Cam Millar) may well be seriously in the running in a year or so in that position. He looks a complete player to me,” he added.
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