What does Scott Barrett bring to the All Black loose trio?
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All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen sprung a surprise by naming second-rower Scott Barrett at blindside flank for New Zealand's do-or-die clash with England at Yokohama Stadium on Saturday.
Barrett has been tipped for a start on the side of the scrum since Liam Squire's decision to make himself unavailable to the All Blacks.
However, Steve Hansen has delayed the call until the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup. Part of the reason to delay the call was the fact that Hansen didn't have star lock Brodie Retallick at his disposal for large parts of the 2019 test season while Barrett also picked up a suspension following his tackle against Australia.
View this post on InstagramAn intereseting call from Steve Hansen, do you think it will pay off? 🤔 #RWC2019 #ENGvNZL
While some might view the decision to start Barrett on the side of the scrum in the All Blacks' biggest game of the year so far, as a gamble, in reality, it is far from it.
Barrett has earned 34 test caps since his debut against Ireland back in Chicago back in 2016 with just 16 of those caps coming in the starting line up and all of which in the second row.
However, when used off the bench Barrett has often slotted onto the side of the scrum while also moving into the position when starting at lock.
Barrett, like many of the All Blacks, is a multi-skilled forward. He is dynamic in carries, strong in defence and excellent at the breakdown while also possessing a strong offloading game and runs superb lines in support.
Barrett adds another dimension to the All Blacks' loose trio, particularly in the lineouts, an area that England have been extremely strong in all year long.
Looking at Barrett's Super Rugby stats for the 2019 season, he won 40 lineouts, made 94 carries and 146 tackles in 15 games. His stats are impressive and not far off of hardworking Springbok flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, who has also made the switch from lock to blindside flank in his carreer. During the 2019 Super Rugby season, du Toit was in sensational form winning 39 lineouts, making 101 carries and 128 tackles in 10 games.
Where Barrett did get the better of du Toit was on attack with the Crusader making 237 metres, 63 more than the South African in 7 less carries.
The blindside role is not new to Barrett and one he often plays in for both club and country. Eddie Jones is likely to start the in-form pair of Sam Underhill and Tom Curry against the All Blacks and with Matt Todd sidelined, Hansen will have another fresh openside in Sam Cane coming off the bench.
Todd's injury likely played a big role in Barrett starting as Hansen looks keep the pressure on England's breakdown throughout the game. Barrett's massive engine means they do not lose anything by not playing two openside flankers, as they have done for the big games in the Rugby World Cup.
