Liam Napier: NZ Herald sports writer on Damian McKenzie reportedly being replaced for upcoming Wallabies rematch

It's looking increasingly likely that Beauden Barrett will step in the No 10 jersey and replace Damian McKenzie for this weekend's All Blacks match.

This upcoming rematch against Australia will mark Beauden Barrett's first test in the role since 2022.

NZ Herald sports writer Liam Napier says it's likely Scott Robertson will be looking to make changes ahead of the next set of high-profile matches.

"You have to have options - and for the All Blacks, this is the last test at home this year, they're about to head north later in the year for three very gruelling tests against England, Ireland and France - they need alternative options."

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Heather Duplessy nineteen past five. Word is Damien McKenzie is
going to be dropped at ten for the Test this weekend.
Boden Barrett is going to replace him. Liam Napier at
the New Zealand Herald broke the story and is with
us he Liam evening, Heather, what's happened here? Has Damien
just used up as chances?

Speaker 2 (00:17):
Well? Look the so far this year Scott Robinson has
retained unwavering trust to McKenzie. But you say eight tests
this year, But you're never sure about these things until
they're officially dropped. But certainly the Windy City carries strong
whispers that Boden Barrett will be at ten this week
and it will be a big chance for him as
it will be his first test at number ten for

(00:39):
the All Black since November twenty twenty two.

Speaker 1 (00:42):
Now, I mean the thing about it is taking Damien
off the off the field actually gives them a couple
of really good performers on the field. Right, it's Boden
Barrett at number ten and it's Will Jordan at fullback.
How much of this is about actually trying to get
rid of Damien or trying to get those two guys on.

Speaker 2 (00:59):
I think it's about looking at alternatives. I don't think
it's about moving on from Damien completely, but it's about
having a look at some different combinations. Will Jordan was
very good at fullback last week. That's his favorite position.
Boden Barrett wants to play ten. He's made no secret
of that. And you have to have options. And the

(01:19):
Alls this is their last test at home this year.
They're about to head north later in the air for
three very grueling tests against England's Islands and France, and
so they need alternative options. They need to find out now.
They need to have a look at these things because
if they don't, then they're in a bit of a
hole and they haven't tried out other options.

Speaker 1 (01:40):
It's going to knock his confidence, isn't it.

Speaker 2 (01:43):
It could do, But it also might have been plans
behind the scenes. I'm sure there's discussions that would have
gone on. Damien would have been aware of it, but
he's had eight chances. He's performed well in some matches,
but game management's the big question with Damien. He's a
bit of a fly in the bottle. He's a bit
of a free spirit, and the All Blacks haven't scored
a point in the last quarter of their last five test, Heather,

(02:06):
and that's a major problem. And that's not on him alone,
but it is a responsibility that you expect your game
driver to put you in the right areas of the
field and to convert chances, and that's been very problematic
for this all black team.

Speaker 1 (02:18):
Yeah, hey, thank you for that, Liam appreciated. Liam Napier,
the Herald's chief sports writer. Coming up twenty two past.

Speaker 3 (02:24):
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