Such has been the All Blacks' depth and dominance in recent times, the team will probably not miss a beat.
Secretly, coach Steve Hansen would have been excited to see how Barrett developed on a tough tour and will have wondered what his speed and general field kicking could do to his side's attack.
Barrett's inclusion certainly has not hurt the side in two tests this year against Argentina - both won comfortably by the All Blacks.
The goalkicking is a slight concern, but that is also sometimes true of Cruden, and Daniel Carter for that matter.
The perception of all three players varies wildly between claims they are the top pivot in world rugby to assertions that each is worse than the other two.
That's where Cruden's problem may lie. The All Blacks coaches adore his game, but a significant shift in the Super Rugby landscape next season could mean he is not in the right place when the music stops in the lead-up to next year's Rugby World Cup.
He is getting Sonny Bill Williams back at the Chiefs, which will help, but it is not as if his two main rivals will not be playing in favourable circumstances.
Ma'a Nonu's return to the Hurricanes will boost a side that, on paper, look scary. Surnames on the rise such as Perenara, Coles, Thrush, Savea (twice) and Shields, established All Blacks in Cory Jane and Conrad Smith and the addition of free-market player x and/or y mean Barrett is perfectly positioned to put up his hand.
Daniel Carter, of course, will be playing behind the bulk of the All Blacks pack for the Crusaders.
Cruden is good, but so are the other two, and if he wants any proof of how precarious the position he has put himself in he should look no further than Zac Guildford.
Before Guildford's off-field mishaps, his workrate and speed had made him one of the first-choice All Blacks wings. His various slip-ups hurt his chances, and suddenly Ben Smith, Julian Savea, Cory Jane and Frank Halai were among those homing in.
Cruden has left the door open and Barrett doesn't mind a gap.
