Barrett's Bledisloe double lifts All Blacks try record to 48 as 150th cap nears

Beauden Barrett extended his All Blacks try-scoring record to 48 with a brace against the Wallabies in Sydney, edging him closer to the record once held by Doug Howlett as he approaches his 150th Test cap.

Barrett was the standout performer in a dominant first-half display, scoring twice from close range before landing the decisive blow right on half-time. With the Wallabies pushing hard on the edges, Max Jorgensen’s pass went astray and Barrett reeled in the intercept, returning it 70 metres the other way with Wallabies fullback Tom Wright — one of the fastest players in the squad — in pursuit.

“I wasn’t sure, I knew it was him [Wright],” Barrett said. “I know that he’s pretty quick, I thought with 20 to go he might get me. I just, thankfully had the stamina.”

Barrett admitted the intercept carried its own risk. “I’ve been there in the past where those intercepts don’t go to hand, you’re looking at 10 minutes in the bin, but this one was well executed and I’ll take it.”

The 147-cap veteran has worked his way back into the All Blacks setup after a difficult Super Rugby season with the Blues, and said the style of play under the current coaching staff has helped him rediscover his best form.

“It was a tough Super season, the way that we went about things, so to get a bit of energy from this team and start feeling myself again has been really rewarding,” he said. “The game that we are playing is an enjoyable one, the style that we are trying to play.”

Barrett’s first Test of the year came off the bench in Baltimore, but he has started both Bledisloe Cup matches. With three caps now separating him from 150 Test appearances, the milestone could arrive on the All Blacks’ end-of-year tour.

“It’s been a tough team to crack and it’s a very good problem to have,” Barrett said. “In terms of having to earn it, with the depth that we have. It’s just been an honour again being selected.”

Barrett also acknowledged the toll injuries have taken on the squad, warning that depth will be tested through to the end of the season, but said the collective effort to deliver back-to-back Bledisloe wins had been deeply satisfying.