You would have to assume Beauden Barrett was being respectful to the precarious nature of being an All Black rather than hinting at imminent retirement when he told reporters you never know when you could be playing your last Test.
The subject came up because Barrett had been visibly and abnormally emotional when singing the national anthem before the second Test against France.
“Oh, did you notice? Yes, oh, no, it is emotional,” Barrett said when he was asked about it.
“I guess I never really know when it’s going to be my last Test, so, yeah, every time I get the chance to play, especially with a brother on my side, that gets me emotional.”
No great player ever wants to be asked to leave the arena and maybe that’s a fear gripping Barrett.
He’ll be 35 next May, and as he said after the 43-17 victory in Wellington: “It takes a lot of effort these days to play Test rugby.”
Was he suggesting he doesn’t have the mental capacity to keep pushing himself as hard as he is to get ready to play at this level? Is he worried he’s going to run out of juice – mental and physical – before the 2027 World Cup, and he’d like to control his exit from the All Blacks?
Go out on his own terms when he’s still wowing audiences as a player whose talents everyone still wants to see?
I have to consider my family, my performance and my desire. That is ultimately what it will come down to and whether I want to be here, and if that fire is still burning inside of me.
His comment about the effort required aligned with something he told the NZ Herald last year: “I am one season at a time right now.
“I am committed to New Zealand, but there is no guarantee I will make it that far.
“The desire is still there to give it a crack, but I have to consider my family, my performance and my desire.
“That is ultimately what it will come down to and whether I want to be here, and if that fire is still burning inside of me.
“My body is good, head is good, heart is good, family is happy. If my performance is good, and I’m being picked [by the All Blacks] then one year leads to another and before you know it the World Cup is one year away, and you have a chance.”
Most likely Barrett was just being deferential to the jersey he has now worn 136 times. The All Blacks will have to hope so because they need him not only now, and for the rest of this year – but for the remainder of this World Cup cycle.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson spent the first half of last year unsure about Barrett’s value and how to best use him, but by the last seven Tests of the year, he had a clear picture in his mind.
From starting 2024 as an impact player off the bench, to playing at full-back, Barrett finished the season as the All Blacks’ undisputed first-choice 10.
It’s his preferred home and after the way he has started 2025, it is his natural home, too.
Barrett hasn’t quite wound the clock back to his vintage years of 2016-2018, but he’s been decisive, calm, controlled and accurate in his two Tests so far this year.
In Dunedin, he was the steady hand that pulled the right strings – but his team-mates couldn’t capitalise because of some sloppy finishing – and in Wellington, he was masterful at turning the French around and forcing them to scramble to no great effect.
This is something that will surely be on Barrett’s radar – a unique opportunity to be in the Republic and take on an old-school schedule that will involve midweek games and generate enormous hype.
Barrett’s full kicking repertoire was on show – a clever short chip to Ardie Savea on the charge, some wobbling grubbers between defenders and the spiral bomb – all of which intensified the pressure on the French.
He just seems to be in a good place – relaxed and confident and loving the responsibility of being the backline general.
His form for the Blues in the final weeks of Super Rugby was outstanding, and he’s carried that into the All Blacks where his passing game has been more fluid than it has been in years, his option-taking more assured and his game management more mature.
He’s bringing Robertson’s All Blacks to life and while the World Cup is more than two years away, there are several big challenges on the horizon to keep Barrett hooked through to 2027. If he is thinking about controlling his exit before the end of his contract that year, he’ll struggle to pick a good time to make it because there are just so many temptations to stay.
There’s a huge series against the Springboks looming in September when the 50-Test unbeaten run at Eden Park will be on the line, and then there is a Grand Slam tour itinerary in November – providing Barrett (and the whole squad) with the chance to do something they haven’t done before by defeating Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales on consecutive November weekends.
But the biggest carrots are next year when the All Blacks will embark on a seven-week, four-Test tour of South Africa. This is something that will surely be on Barrett’s radar – a unique opportunity to be in the Republic and take on an old-school schedule that will involve midweek games and generate enormous hype.
The inaugural Nations Championship will also start next year so there’s enough in the interim to keep Barrett engaged and make him think when he reaches the end of this year, there’s every reason to keep going.
And no doubt the coaches will be telling him that because he brings an astute understanding of game management no other 10 does.
It’s not that the coaching panel have given up on Damian McKenzie becoming a world class fly-half, they just know the team has a better balance and potency to it when Barrett runs the attack.
Also, they like what McKenzie brings off the bench, and if there was one major lesson Robertson took out of 2024, it was the need to have all 23 players making a contribution.
McKenzie is being groomed more now as an impact player, but also someone who can start a test at 10 should Barrett ever be unavailable. That’s why he’ll pick up the occasional start this year at fly-half – as a chance to keep his hand in – and to build his experience so that should Barrett fall over, he is well prepared to step in.
Mo’unga is experienced, talented and he’d be motivated, but he will have limited time to adjust to the pace of Test rugby and embed himself in an All Blacks side unrecognisable to the one he last played for in the 2023 World Cup final.
The prospect of Ruben Love making a bid to usurp Barrett at 10 doesn’t seem likely either. Love played half a Super Rugby campaign at fly-half for the Hurricanes and impressed with his maturity and all-round skill-set.
But All Blacks assistant coach, Jason Holland, who gave Love his first Super Rugby taste (at 10) says the 24-year-old is being viewed more as a full-back at this stage.
“There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes with our young guys about game management in general, whether that is 10 or 15, and Ruben is a great student and he is learning really quickly,” said Holland.
“Position-wise I think probably 15 at the moment but he is quite capable of jumping into play 10 in a Test match.”
Love’s only cap to date came on the wing when he played there against Japan last year, but Holand added: “In fairness to Rubes to have him at hiss absolute best, I think he is a 15 or 10.”
The only other option at 0 is Richie Mo’unga, but he has made no firm commitment about whether he will return to New Zealand after his contract with Toshiba ends next year.
Even if he does come home in June, unless he is granted an exemption from New Zealand Rugby’s board, he won’t be available for the All Blacks until November – as he has to play in the preceding domestic competition (NPC) to be eligible for selection.
He’s experienced, talented and he’d be motivated, but he will have limited time to adjust to the pace of Test rugby and embed himself in an All Blacks side unrecognisable to the one he last played for in the 2023 World Cup final.
If Barrett did decide he can’t keep going after this year, the All Blacks would cope. But there is no doubt they will be a better team, and better placed to win the World Cup, if they can keep their veteran playmaker for the next two-and-a-bit years.
Gregg-a! Great piece! I have followed you for as long as you have been writing. You are no doubt in my mind the best of the NZ sports rugby writers! I appreciate all the comments, I have read them all and have great respect for them. That’s the great thing about different perspectives, you don’t have to agree with them but you can respect them. I moved away from NZ over 23 years ago. Though I live in a different country, I will always and forever be a Kiwi and a staunch die hard supporter of the All Blacks. I wake up early to watch every game without fail.
This is the first time I am making a comment on this platform. I just want to express my appreciation for Beauden! I have been a Beauden fan from the beginning of his career. Whether he makes it to the end of his contract in 2027, all the many scenarios that have been painted in this article and all the many comments relating to Richie, D-Mac and Love, whatever happens, happens, but, I am taking the opportunity to appreciate this great talent, great athlete, great rugby player and great man. I am bias, I hope he makes it to the 2027 world cup but who knows. What I do know is Beauden Barrett has been an outstanding All Black, he has represented the jersey with the mana, respect and reverence that comes with the black jersey. He is humble and doesn’t seek glory for himself but for the team, so for however long he plays, I will be watching, appreciating him as one of the greats of All Blacks rugby and I’ll be watching every other game the All Blacks play with Beauden in the team or no longer. I Love the ALL BLACKS NO MATTER WHAT!!
BB had his chance in 2019 and 2023 and failed both times….we will not win the RWC with BB at 10
The fact that a decade on from Carter our ‘answer’ is a 35-year-old who can now produce one top shelf game in about ten, says it all about our fabled ‘systems’. The reality is, Barrett is the lesser of the two current evils.
Sure, it’s not helpful when the NH wait for players like Fergus Burke to start maturing before swiping them, but it’s also not helped by the NZ obsession of messing young 10’s around by deciding they need to be fullbacks too.
End result, they end up not being particularly good in either position. The same things happening with Ruben Love, who frankly they should be giving time at 10, and leave him there to develop. Instead, we’ve essentially punched the 2027 WC tickets of three guys all the wrong side of 30 already.
Very shallow analysis: BB has good games (1st vs France greatly aided by McKenzie) and pretty average ones (2nd test vs France).
Due to age his speed is not what it was (2015 London) and his tactical kicking fails sometimes. A great servant but unlikely to guide us to winning in 27
It will depend on Results in The Rugby Championship. If they are well beaten by SA, I suspect they will pay the fee to release Mo’unga and roll the dice for the RWC.
It feels like AB’s have the forward pack to compete but they need greater cohesion at 10 to get the best from their attack.
Razor wants Mo’unga back already, so it’s just building pressure the longer they wait. He’s probably the one player they are lacking at the moment.
Lacking? He was in there for 5 years. It was HIM that was lacking. He was part of the problem, not the solution. He's older than Dmac and not much younger than BB. Not the future.
As a Saffa I would love the Boks to beat the AB's by a lot, but that won't happen. It will be tight and close games.
Theres no way you’re getting him out of his last season in Japan, hes about to start pre season in a couple of months.
I have no idea why Razor asks him to play every week. They have to find a better way, currently if you’re in the squad you’re expected to prepare to play because you’re the only backup. More rotation in and out needed why at home.
You mean while he was in Japan, before even having played a test? It only took two tests before he returned to his starting position, admittedly primarily due to an recovering Jordan.
LOL, this is classic copium from those who still see a 15 in Dmac. There’s no way you would want him as an impact player, 10’s don’t get tired, the only reason you are getting him on the field is because he’s your best playmaker.
And TBH, with the way the All Blacks performed so much better with Jordie filling in at 10 in Wellington, I’d say you don’t even need a 10 on the bench in case of injuries, if Jordie is your 12.
A long read of dmac hate and bb who is just so great… And I just don’t get it, bb made so many mistakes… Couldn’t even find touch with some of his penalties… Hardly ever distributed the ball down the backline and kicked the ball straight into opposition hands for most of the series… I don’t think dmac had the best game ever on Saturday but this is ridiculous, his kicking was actually more accurate and tactical… The problem we had on Saturday was that we kept trying to run through the forwards at the line rather than spread the ball into space when it mattered… I personally think dmac last week was better than bb the week before… The hate this guy gets over and over is just ridiculous…
Spot on.
long read alright.
Beauden Barrett is an exceptional player but Richie Mo’unga will be back in 2026 and will be a major force come 2027. Razor cannot resist Richie Mo’unga who was a big part of the Crusaders success in Super Rugby. Barrett can add value in the squad with his experience and quality but age will take its toll on a player whose X-Factor will only diminish. Yes he may have the vision to unlock space with his kicks, he may retain his killer pass but his pace and physicality will wane and he may make a line break but also may not be able to capitalise on it because he lacks the physical attributes. Come 2027 I think he will be one or 2 years too old. If anything the All Blacks may be better off giving more opportunities to their alternatives in the near future like D-Mac or Love. Right now he starts the match against the Boks at Eden Park and in the Rugby Championship he will be valuable but the All Blacks must look beyond him come the Grand Slam tour.
Sigh, Gregor is right of course. You only have to look at the accolades BB regularly collects from experienced rugby writers both here and around the world to see that it’s only in (some parts of) NZ that his skills, experience and incredible value is even a talking point. Injuries aside, BB will become our most capped AB over the next two seasons.
Prediction. BB & RM will be the pivots come World Cup time. A toss up to see who will be back up to these as there a few options amongst the younger brigade but need to develop further. The likes of DM may still have a role to play but not long term.
If Gregor Paul or anyone else does not think Razor will select Richie Mo’unga to the Rugby Championship in 2026 after he re-signs NZR they are out of their mind.
Including the 2026 Rugby Championship, the All Blacks will have a minimum 10 tests remaining in 2026 and a minimum of 4 before the RWC in 2027 and then 3 pool tests before the knockout round of 16 at the RWC.
That’s 17 tests to prepare a 50 test capped specialist 10 who spent 7 seasons playing for the same coaching staff! That’s plenty of time to learn the systems and build cohesion. Not to mention that Mo’unga and Will Jordan already have great chemistry.
Only one of Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie will be in the RWC squad, if all 3 are healthy. And with the rise of Ruben Love, there is no guarantee that either will even be on the bench as 10/15 cover in two seasons.
Well said. Richie Mo’unga and Will Jordan are a lethal combo in a backline. I think Richie Mo’unga will be back, no doubt. Richie was the ignition key to 7 Crusader title winning teams.
I didn’t think there was going to be a RC. Won’t they already be on a plane to SA by the time NPC starts (and he can qualify)?
I think there is some youngsters coming thru too. Jacomb is a rock solid 10 who can spot a gap if its there and RIvez is really showing some maturity now he had a decent run.
Mounga has no success at test level but yes very sadly Razor will have his pet already written in the WC squad.
Gregor is obviously angling to write BB’s book.
Beaudens passing has improved a lot this year but his kicking game is still often cringe. It’s rocks and diamonds.
He’s never been an effective game manager with his kicking and his kicking from hand lacks length.
As a game manager Dmac is also rocks and diamonds. He crabs far too much
Love, Reihana and even JB all present as potential better options.
I hope we don’t stick with BB as our main 10 till the next RWC because that did not work well for Ireland with Sexton in the end. We need fresh blood.
Total nonsense. BB is the best game manager we have. His kicking out of hand is extremely good. You see how much structure we lose when DMac comes on? We pretty much stop scoring points when he is at 10.
There are just people out there who think the ball should be run every time we have it. They watch a 3rd string French team be extremely competitive with us on the back of an outstanding kicking game, and don’t understand that the current rules and how good defenders are favour that approach.
How can you speak about your brother like this?
He still looks like he’s holding a hot potato at times, like when he passed to Jordan on the wing I think in Wellington.
agree, and you’d have to reject RM for the same reason; I think Love will prove to be the 10 we have been looking for.
I thought the rule was players coming back to NZ after being off-contract ( not sabbaticals) had to play a domestic rugby game in NZ before being eligible. Not a full NPC or even necessarily an NPC match. I seem to recall a couple of ABs turning out for Clubs for this reason. Can’t seem to find the rules anywhere?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure BB was exempted from that rule himself last time round, because he was off contract in Japan. So if it’s a bendable rule for BB, it should be for others.
Yrs a big exaggeration by the author for sure. 1 game is all Mounga will need, just like LF.
You are correct. The NZR policy only requires a player to be contracted by the NZR and to play club rugby.
We will see what happens in two weeks when the Rugby Championship squad is named and whether Leicester Fainga’anuka is named or not.
Luke McAlister was fast tracked into the All Blacks in 2009 after playing one club match on his return from playing in France so he could play in the Tri-Nations.
Beauden , great all round rugby player, but he is not a ‘‘game manager’’ , tactician in the class of say Crusaders and AllBlack great Andrew Mehrtens. His clutch moments have tended to be off the bench in a utility role, not as a starter , like Mehrts was e.g. Kicking winning penalty v Brumbies , 2000 Super Final. Like DMac he is inferior to Richie Mo’unga , who in big games , outplayed both in play offs/finals while playing for the Crusaders. Thankfully we have guys Reuben Love and Rivez Reihana coming through. The latter did great at the business end of Super with the Crusaders.What has Gregor Paul been watching.
His keyboard.
BB is a great athlete and rugby player, he could have been an all time 7’s great. But he's not a test match game managing 10. Neither is DMac.
He could have been the best 10 the world has seen if left at 10. Was already nominated as WPOY in 2018 after winning it in 16 & 17. Dmac a better 15 back then, prior to his injury.
As I have said previously Gregor is the perfect example of the NZ rugby media.
Gregor writes a lot of hypothetical or very PC fluff. He is actually Scottish btw.
Which is what?
Just another trigger?
Richie Mounga (he still harbours a desire to win a RWC), Ruben Love, & Rivez Reihana.
Sadly Richie has proven he doesn’t have what it takes at test level.
Emac simply unreliable