‘Am I not in this equation?': Beauden Barrett on All Blacks captaincy

Jaxin Daniels • March 31st, 2026 5:44 pm

Beauden Barrett kicked seven points in the victory over Scotland at Murrayfield | Photo: AP

Beauden Barrett, Auckland Blues and All Black playmaker, heads into his team’s bye week on a high after putting together a 40-15 win over the tough Fijian Drua.

Facing the table topping Hurricanes in the capital next week, the Blues have a chance to go top of the table.

Speaking to Sport Nation’s Millsy and Guy, Barrett is looking forward to the test the game against his former team is going to bring to his unit.

“The boys are working hard,” Barrett said.

“We’ve got a few boys out with injury, but the real test will be against the Hurricanes, and it’s probably the same for them.”

With the Blues and Hurricanes on bye, it gives both teams an adequate buildup for the 1st v 2nd matchup in Round 9.

“It’s the Canes’ second bye so they have an interesting run home, whereas this is our first one.

“Travelling down to the capital, playing them at home, it probably doesn’t get any bigger for us at this stage in the season.”

Izzy Dagg lavishes the Hurricanes with praise | Scotty & Izzy

Having the bye week over the Easter break gives the players a chance for some quality family time during a hectic season, something the 144 cap All Black won’t be taking for granted.

“If coach (Vern Cotter) wasn’t happy with where things are at, we may come in a train a couple of these days off.” Barrett said. “But we’ve got the week off so we’ll head back in on Easter Monday and prepare as we would for a normal game.”

With Cotter off to the Queensland Reds at season’s end, and his replacement already announced, Barrett is looking forward to the impact current Hurricanes assistant coach Jason Holland will bring to the team.

“He’s a superb coach.

“I know how much the Hurricanes are loving his presence this year.

“He’ll be saying he’s all in with the Hurricanes at the moment, but I’m sure in the back of his mind he’s planning and excited about who he’s going to get together for his team next season.”

Debuting in 2012, the 2015 Rugby World Cup champion has seen plenty of changes in the game over the years, but not in the practical sense of it all.

“It’s changed a lot,” Barrett said.

“I mean it doesn’t have to, it depends how you want to look at it, it’s still a simple game. What goes into it I think has changed a lot around the level of detail, the level of structure.

“When I prepare for a game these days we’re talking about pages of notes, whereas back in 2012 there might’ve been 1-2 pages max.

“With all these parts of the game, there’s no stone left unturned. You get the old boys come out and say it’s the same game, you’ve got to win it up front, and I think they’re right, but at the same time there is so much more going into it around other parts of the game.”

The coach has been selected, his assistants have been picked, but something that is still up in the air for the All Blacks is who will captain the team.

When given the choice of which Barrett he'd want leading the team around the park, the oldest Barrett was giving nothing away.

“Am I not in this equation?”

“Either way I’ve got to answer to my younger brother so that’s a lose-lose.”

Listen to the full interview here: