Ian Foster weighs in on All Black fly-half debate

While the All Black number 10 jersey is a perennially discussed topic, it has seldom been as interesting and involved as it is today, with arguably the two best fly-halves in the world competing for the position.

Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga were poised to face off against each other last Sunday before the final Super Rugby Aotearoa match, between the Blues and Crusaders, was called off due to a new Covid-19 outbreak in New Zealand.

The good news for fans is that the two stand-offs will get the opportunity to square up to each other in the New Zealand North vs South fixture on 29 August.

All Black head coach Ian Foster will be keenly awaiting the match-up and hoping it will work to make his selection process easier.

"People have their views and that's exciting,” Foster said in an interview with nzherald.co.nz, “The good thing is we've got two outstanding rugby players that people are talking about.

"It doesn't matter what spin I put on it, they're two outstanding players who we know are proven at the international level."

Barrett has, however, been mixing it up at fullback as well in recent times.

"I've always said I think he's a 10 who plays 15, and that hasn't changed," Foster continued, "He's had a pretty rich history in the black jersey as a starting 10. For the first four years he was in there as an impact player who came off the bench and play 10 or 15, then last year we gave him another job based on a revised game plan that, really, we felt utilised both of them really, really effectively. We've got some good choices.

"It's going to be an interesting contest. We've got high regard for both players, and Beauden still has some flexibility around his position, but we can't wait for the game really."

Whichever combination Foster and co. decide to go with when international rugby resumes, what is for certain is that the All Blacks have perhaps never before enjoyed such a richly talented fly-half crop.

#SuperRugbyAotearoa produced some HUGE HITS!!😱 pic.twitter.com/mCxOeJQsse

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) August 18, 2020