Beauden Barrett: All Blacks starting first five previews the clash against South Africa

History is weighing heavily on the All Blacks, as they seek to defend their over 30 year long undefeated streak at Eden Park. 

They’re facing the Springboks tonight in what’s likely the biggest test of the 2025 calendar. 

Newstalk ZB’s voice of rugby Elliott Smith caught up with starting first five Beauden Barrett at the team naming press conference on Thursday to get his thoughts on the upcoming clash and the learnings to come from the Argentina loss. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldgrave from News Talks.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
Edb Boden's thoughts on Test week and the game coming
up tonight.

Speaker 3 (00:18):
Let's get amongst it, Elliott, take it away.

Speaker 4 (00:21):
Boden, Barrett, thanks for joining us on new Talks as always.
Have you built into what is a pretty big week,
pretty big test match.

Speaker 3 (00:28):
Thanks nice to chat.

Speaker 2 (00:29):
Yeah, last week coming back from Argentina was a tricky week,
obviously dealing with the previous result and knowing what was
around the corner with this test. So it was great
to consciously force myself to be home and be present.
And now that we've started our Test week and we're
in the thick of it, so to speak, it's a

(00:50):
lot easier. We're processed, driven and it feels good to
be together and preparing for it's going to be a
big test.

Speaker 4 (00:57):
Was it easy to figure out what didn't go right
in Argentina as you reviewed and then moved into this week.

Speaker 3 (01:03):
Yes, it was, And we just know the intensity and.

Speaker 2 (01:10):
I guess what's on the line and Test match foot
If you're a little bit off on any given day,
that's what happens. And without taking anything away from a
quality permicide, like we weren't quite there where we needed
to be.

Speaker 5 (01:23):
God, kicking was tough on the night for you. Was
there a reason behind that at all?

Speaker 3 (01:26):
Yeah? There was.

Speaker 2 (01:29):
Funnily enough, the two from the sideline was exactly where
I wanted to start them.

Speaker 3 (01:35):
But I won't go.

Speaker 2 (01:36):
Into a personal situation, but yeah, it clearly Wasn't it
a good outcome?

Speaker 3 (01:42):
But I'm feeling good now?

Speaker 4 (01:46):
Are these the kind of weeks where nothing extra needs
to be said? You know that the story has been
basically created in terms of how big this test matches?

Speaker 5 (01:53):
Or do you in camp underline what.

Speaker 4 (01:55):
This test match means to this team, this country.

Speaker 2 (02:00):
It's obviously an important test for us responding from what
happened in Argentina. Yeah, there's been a lot said about
Eden Park and playing against the box and all of that.
The main thing is that we prepare well accordingly. We
don't play the test match today, or you know, we

(02:20):
were conscious not to play it on Tuesday and trainings
we can get a little bit worked up and fizzed
about what's coming. So yeah, it's preparing accordingly, acknowledging what's
in front of us, and yeah, just embracing the challenge.

Speaker 4 (02:35):
A month ago, Finlay wasn't in the All Black squad.
Now he's starting a test against it. Afrik, you've played
a lot of rugby with him. Did you get around
him this week? Do or do you just know that
that combination can click when you get to Eden Park
Saturday night.

Speaker 2 (02:47):
Of course we get around each other. It's the same
with Kyle. It's important that we are aligned with Dmac
myself the Nines. We're clear on the game plan what
we want to achieve, but ultimately we're that clear that
we're out there playing footy, playing on instincts. For thenes

(03:11):
that will be clearing the ball and if it's on
to run, they'll have a crack. So yeah, for me,
it's about giving them really good communication, making their not
easy and ultimately that will probably come from what's in front.

Speaker 3 (03:22):
Of us and the big boys doing a good job.

Speaker 4 (03:24):
It's gonna be an aerial bombardment and it's any secret.
How do you prepare for that as a team? Do
you return fire? Do you want to play your own
style of game?

Speaker 2 (03:31):
There'll be a bit of return fire, there's no doubt
about that. But yeah, we're expecting a little bit coming
our way. We've got some good plans around that too,
But ultimately we want to play the game on our
terms and with our style, and it might not be
the same way that they want to play the game,

(03:53):
but who knows. We have to wait and see on Saturday,
and it could be a game of adapting and whoever
does that the quickest and most effective will probably end
up becoming the winners on the day.

Speaker 4 (04:06):
You've played some big games at Eton Park. What does
it mean to you personally this ground that Nell Blacks
haven't been beaten at for fifty games thirty one years.

Speaker 2 (04:13):
Yeah, there's been many great happy memories playing at Eden Park.
Without over thinking it or getting too deep, it's obviously
a place we've had great success. So that success has
always been built on really good preparation throughout the week,
really consciously enjoying that the process, and ultimately coming together

(04:37):
as a team because these are the tests that we
love and I'm lucky enough to get an opportunity on Saturday.
So it's about containing our excitement and emotions at the stage.
And yeah, I know that we'll have some you know,
we have great support on Saturday night, and it's a
talk of the town.

Speaker 3 (04:54):
So yeah, we look forward to it.

Speaker 4 (04:56):
South Africa is still the one year circle in the
diary and look forward to every year when these test
matches come up.

Speaker 3 (05:01):
Yeah, that one of the teams for sure. It's a
great rival.

Speaker 2 (05:07):
Obviously there are other teams who we respect highly, but
right in front of us now is the box and
that's what we're focusing on.

Speaker 5 (05:15):
What's the one thing as a team you need to
get right come Saturday night.

Speaker 3 (05:18):
I think we've got to be clear.

Speaker 2 (05:20):
We've got to be playing with a smile on our
face and I think that'll take care of everything. We're
turning up with the right intent and attitude that goes
a long way.

Speaker 1 (05:33):
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