Beauden Barrett has endorsed All Blacks coach Scott Robertson's decision to relegate him to the reserves bench, saying Damian McKenzie and Stephen Perofeta deserve to start ahead of him as a reward for their form in Super Rugby Pacific.
Robertson caused a stir among supporters and commentators when he left Barrett out of the starting team for the test against England at a sold-out Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin tomorrow night, but the 123-test veteran says he understands why he was omitted.
Barrett says Robertson gave him a heads-up earlier in the week and said he's selecting McKenzie and Perofeta based, basically, on their form in Super Rugby, and he fully supported that.
He says they deserve their opportunities, and he has been right behind them this week.
McKenzie and Perofeta will play first-five and fullback, respectively, against England at 7.05pm tomorrow in Dunedin.
In other test matches this week, the Wallabies will take on Wales at 9.45pm tomorrow, South Africa will meet Ireland at 3am Sunday, Argentina will face France at 7am Sunday, Chile will take on Hong Kong at 7am Sunday, and Canada will meet Scotland at 9am Sunday.
[Source: Stuff.co.nz]
