Beauden Barrett will play his 100th test for the All Blacks. Photo / Photosport
From super sub weapon to the world's best player, shifting to fullback, and back to first five-eighth. Beauden Barrett's path to 100 tests is anything but conventional which seems fitting as there will never be another player like him.
Barrett faces a major battle to retain the All Blacks' No 10 jersey in the coming weeks and years, as Richie Mo'unga presents his equally compelling case.
This week, though, there was little debate about who would start in front of a 74,500 sell-out Cardiff crowd.
"He's playing well," All Blacks coach Ian Foster said. "He's been running this team for the past couple of months so we felt he deserved the opportunity. Clearly it's his 100th test. He's in a really good place to go and celebrate that with a game that means a lot to him. It's a big occasion and he's on top of his game so we're delighted with that selection."
Milestones evoke reflections. Barrett's rise through the ranks matched his blistering speed off the mark. One year out of Francis Douglas Memorial College he progressed to Taranaki and the New Zealand sevens, onto the Hurricanes and NZ under-20s the following year and to the All Blacks in 2012.
Emerging in Dan Carter's era was never easy for any New Zealand playmaker. Ask any contender from that time – comparisons were inevitable and often unfair. No one will ever emulate Carter. Barrett never tried.
For the first four years of his test career Barrett was forced to be patient but he soon became the world's best impact player – a highly valued commodity in other arenas such as the NBA.
Even as a fresh-faced 21-year-old, Barrett's pure athleticism made him a game-changer.
When the path eventually cleared, following the 2015 World Cup triumph with Carter's test retirement, most feared the All Blacks were vulnerable as Richie McCaw, Conrad Smith, Keven Mealamu and Ma'a Nonu called time, too.
Aaron Cruden, having largely played second fiddle to Carter, was tipped to graduate but after one start against Wales in Dunedin, where he scored two tries and claimed 26 points, Barrett seized the mantle.
In 2016, under Kieran Read's captaincy, the All Blacks defied predictions to produce a dynamic season. They scored 562 points in the calendar year, averaging 40.12 per-match, to win the Rugby Championship with bonus points in every match, and only drop one of 14 tests to Ireland in Chicago. Such dominance was recognised with the global team of the year gong at the Laureus Sports Awards.
Barrett's brilliance was at the heart of the All Blacks' attacking dynamism. He was duly named world player of the year in 2016 and '17 - matching McCaw's feat as the only other figure to claim that award in succession.
Never a traditional first-five, Barrett's ability to take the ball flat and challenge the line; his size, pace, hand-eye coordination turned heads. He's always had a knack of being in the right place; of coercing the ball to bounce for him at the right time. Those instincts also partly explain the ridiculous offloads – the backhanded flick ball for Luke Jacobson to score against Argentina this season but one in a catalogue of magic moments.
In recent years Barrett has struggled, as all playmakers do, when the All Blacks pack failed to deliver front foot ball and in the face of smothering defensive line speed pressure. With the Principality Stadium roof open this weekend and customary rain forecast, Barrett's navigation will be tested.
Mo'unga's increasing prominence led to the All Blacks shifting Barrett to fullback, in order to harness two playmakers, for the 2019 season with mixed results.
In that sense, Barrett's versatility is a blessing and a curse.
Now in his 10th test season Barrett has moved from the Hurricanes to the Blues - a decision Dane Coles will likely never forgive him for - returned to first receiver where he can exert more influence and evolved into the consummate professional.
Behind the scenes he preserves his body. He is dedicated to refining his craft, constantly working on his skills, fitness, the mental side of the game, and has strong influence shaping strategies with every team he's involved in.
While much more reserved in his public persona than when he first cracked the pro ranks, his humble dairy farming roots remain.
"He's a quality person," Foster said. "The thing I love about him is he prepares the team first and then himself. He's very selfless. On the field he's got that sense of adventure. He's his own style of 10; slightly different. He can do that stuff that 10s do but he's got the ability to add his own flavour with his running game and speed. He's massively influential in our camp."
This season has been a slow burn for Barrett. Entering the test arena following his Japanese sabbatical left him significant ground to make up but Mo'unga's absence from the Rugby Championship, while he remained at home for the birth of his second child, allowed Barrett to build.
Border restrictions prevent a large family presence witnessing Barett becoming the All Blacks' 11th test centurion yet brother Jordie will be at fullback and close friend TJ Perenara has been handed the start at halfback in something of a sentimental selection ahead of Brad Weber.
"I don't think TJ had his best 20 minutes in the States but it was a very festival mode in that game by the time he got on," Foster said. "We've gauged the energy and enthusiasm and feel that TJ-Beauden relationship has been strong for a number of years and we've put a bit of confidence in it."
Ethan Blackadder's promotion over Akira Ioane at blindside rewards his combative performances against the Springboks and Sevu Reece's footwork off the bench is sure to pose problems when fatigue sets in during the final quarter.
When the Welsh signing subsides, though, there is one bloke who takes centre stage.
All Blacks:
Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara; Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Whitelock (c), Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa'i, Akira Ioane, Brad Weber, Richie Mo'unga, Sevu Reece.
Wales:
Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (c), Ross Moriarty, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Josh Adams, Johnny Williams, Jonathan Davies, Owen Lane, Johnny McNicholl.
Reserves: Kirby Myhill, Rhys Care, Dillon Lewis, Will Rowlands, Seb Davies, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Ben Thomas
Fabien Galthie has picked a second-choice squad for July's NZ Tests.