13 Aug 2014

Barrett set for impact role again

11:55 am on 13 August 2014

The All Blacks first five-eighth Beauden Barrett is expected to continue his role as an impact player in Saturday's opening Bledisloe Cup test against Australia.

Beauden Barrett

Beauden Barrett Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Barrett's played 19 Tests without a loss and 17 of those have come from the bench, where he's served as back-up for Dan Carter and Aaron Cruden.

He says he's happy to continue that this weekend with Cruden expected to continue in the starting role, but says he'll be ready to play from the opening whistle regardless.

Barret says he'll just prepare as if he's starting, because that way they know the game plan inside out and are ready to go on in the first minute or in the last minute.

The All Blacks coaches have been impressed with the way the 23-year-old's been able to stamp his mark on the game from the bench as an impact player, much like the departed halfback Piri Weepu used to do for the national side.

Barrett says he's learning how to read the game from the bench, but he's definitely not at Weepu's level yet.

The team to play Australia is named on Thursday.