Scott Barrett can see the beauty in a World Cup draw.
As the pools were decided for the 2027 tournament in Sydney last night, the All Blacks’ road to another World Cup title became clear.
Winning their pool likely sets them up for a quarter-final against the world No 1 side, South Africa. That timeline would be the second World Cup in a row in which the All Blacks would meet the top-ranked side in a quarter-final, after clashing with – and handily beating – Ireland in 2023.
Finishing runners-up in the pool means they’ll likely be headed for a clash against No 3 England in the final eight. Both teams beat the All Blacks in 2025.
But as the New Zealand captain delivered his assessment of the draw on Thursday morning, it was the opportunity presented by the draw that captured his imagination – with a Round of 16 added in a new extended format.
“At some stage within the tournament, you’re going to play the world’s best,” Barrett said.
“We played France last time as the opening game and that was a huge occasion for both teams. At that point, we lost to them and we said, okay, this isn’t our competition, but we’ve got every chance to still lift the World Cup.
“We played Ireland in the quarter-final – another huge game. I think the key thing really is along the way you’re going to play potentially, one, two, three in the world and it might not be in the final. That’s the beauty of the World Cup. You’re going to have to peak at the right time, and I think that’s right at the pool stages. You’ve got to be right at the top of your game and just know that you have momentum leading into the competition.
“Ultimately, you’ve got to win four big games in a row with the round of 16, quarter-final, semi and final. I think that’s probably the biggest change between 2023 is four games in a row, hence what Razor [All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson] has been talking around the depth of the squad and being able to call on guys with injuries and put a performance [on] for a month.”
The All Blacks had their depth well tested during their campaign this year, with more than 20 players missing time during the season or being unavailable for the year entirely.
The lock and halfback stocks were hit particularly hard, with the All Blacks having to call upon a sixth No 9, with five of the six making a test appearance, while six locks took to the field and injury cover in the form of Josh Beehre, Devan Flanders and Naitoa Ah Kuoi was called in throughout the campaign.
“This year we had the most injuries we’ve ever had as an All Blacks squad, so it did create opportunities for other players, but also we left a lot of guys at home,” Robertson said.
“The opportunity for guys to tour builds our depth, builds competition, and there’s a good side to that, but also ... you know you’ve got a good crop coming through when they’re physically fit to build that depth.
“So, for the entirety of the squad this year, look, we feel like we want four deep in the positions. We’re starting to get there and we’ve got another Super Rugby competition for someone to come in and play really well and put pressure on the current side, play well and pick themselves for the All Blacks in the next year.”
Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Scott Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Sam Darry, Samipeni Finau, Fabian Holland, Noah Hotham, Luke Jacobson, Peter Lakai, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tyrel Lomax, Tevita Mafileo*, Emoni Narawa, Ollie Norris, Cortez Ratima, Cameron Roigard, Wallace Sititi, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Tamaiti Williams.
Unavailable all season: Asafo Aumua, Stephen Perofeta, Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
* - yet to make All Blacks debut but was ruled out of the last test of the Northern Tour due to injury.
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.