All Blacks coach Steve Hansen praised for ‘pretty crazy’ move

Beauden Barrett produced a New Zealand World Cup record 21  carries as the All Blacks thumped Ireland 46-14 in Saturday’s quarter-final in Tokyo.

Head coach Hansen shifted 28-year-old Barrett from stand-off to full-back in the summer, installing Richie Mo’unga at No 10 and creating a dual playmaking system.

Former All Blacks hooker Mealamu helped New Zealand retain their World Cup crown in England in 2015 before retiring with 132 caps and two Webb Ellis Cup titles to his name. And the 40-year-old has revealed his awe and admiration at New Zealand’s class of 2019 pushing towards even greater heights.

“You think to yourself it’s pretty crazy they can put Beauden to full-back: but then you realise through the World Cup how pivotal it is to have Richie in that position at fly-half as well,” Mealamu said.

“It really opens up the game a lot more, to have two guys who can pivot either side of the attack.

“I’ve found out over the years you’ve just got to trust the decisions they make, because sometimes you wonder ‘why did they do that?’ and then a couple of weeks later you find out. It’s some good insight for up-and-coming coaches and players as well. It’s not easy firstly for coaches to make those decisions and then secondly as a player to embrace it and go with it as well.”

Aaron Smith bagged two tries among New Zealand’s seven in inflicting Ireland’s heaviest-ever World Cup defeat.

Mealamu believes New Zealand are relishing the pressure and playing with dangerous freedom, that will throw up a world of problems for their semi-final opponents  England.

“When it gets to the finals you realise you either win or go home,” said Mealamu.

“And in that scenario there are two types of teams, the team that goes into its shell and doesn’t really play at all and the team that really expresses itself.

“The All Blacks came into the latter category on Saturday and that was awesome to see, because it shows players are really growing as leaders. That’s the way to play in play-offs, get out there and express yourself. And the fact they can do that is brilliant.

“It’s getting an understanding of it all. It’s hard to explain what it feels like until you’ve been in the position.

“So for players that haven’t been in that position before that can be something that you can dwell on, or possibly it can blindside you if you haven’t prepared for it.

“But our boys looked really good, they looked like they played open and free. And for me it was the same as watching the English, they are another team that really rose to the occasion and embraced it.