Richie Mo'unga has won the opening round with Beauden Barrett in New Zealand's playmaking duel and will hold the reins for the All Blacks as they look to sweep the Fiji series with victory in Hamilton on Saturday.
The flyhalf rivalry has triggered huge debate among New Zealand fans after Barrett was used as a second playmaker at fullback last season and Mo'unga given the number 10 jersey.With Mo'unga rested from the opener against Fiji, twice World Rugby Player of the Year Barrett started at flyhalf in the 57-23 win in Dunedin but came off with a black eye and drew only lukewarm praise in New Zealand media.
"Beauden made a lot of really good decisions - his instincts were probably a fraction off and that's why we're keen to keep playing him and give him more time. Despite the winning margin in Dunedin, the All Blacks' performance failed to impress many of the country's hard-marking fans or help Foster win over sceptics after his patchy first season in charge last year.Vern Cotter-coached Fiji, however, were feted for giving the All Blacks more of a test than expected while missing a number of key players due to COVID-19-related travel curbs.
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