Sir Graham Henry says he was thrilled to see Beauden Barrett return to form with his two starts at fullback in the Bledisloe Cup.

The veteran playmaker was made to wait for his Test opportunities to begin the All Blacks‘ season, missing selection in the first six Tests of the year and playing just nine minutes in the seventh. Then, injuries struck, and two of the four men ahead of him in the pecking order, Ruben Love and Richie Mo’unga, were ruled out of the two-Test series against Australia.

After a shaky Super Rugby Pacific season for the Blues, there were doubts over Barrett’s ability to deliver in the Test arena. But with one of his country’s most treasured trophies on the line, Barrett turned back the clock and proved he is still a force in the international game.

Henry, an All Blacks selector and former World Cup-winning head coach, said this week that he too was concerned for the future of Barrett’s career before his Bledisloe performances.

“I’m so delighted. Because, you wonder, he’s a 35-year-old superstar, done it all, World Player of the Year twice, and you wonder whether old Father Time’s knocking on the door,” Henry told Martin Devlin on DSPN.

“But oh, he has been absolutely outstanding in that group as a mentor, as a support person. He has just been the ultimate professional. And he’s given other people confidence, and he’s helped other people. I’ve got so much respect for him.

“And then to see him play at Eden Park and then play the house down in Sydney. It’s just fantastic. I feel so pleased for him.

“I was like everybody else, I wondered, but I’ve never wondered about his professionalism or his effect on the team, I just wondered whether his days were over, maybe. I don’t want him watching this!

“And when he scored that try, he ran 70 meters or whatever it is – I might have added another 10 (metres) – I was cheering him the whole way.

“It’s just bloody fantastic, and he’s not lost any instincts for the game. I couldn’t be more delighted for a person who’s done the hard yards and come through it, because he’s had a challenging couple of years.”

Barrett’s opportunity came at fullback, as Damian McKenzie slid into the No.10 jersey after starting the year at No.15. Henry was not short of praise for McKenzie, either, and was overall deeply enthusiastic about the health of New Zealand’s playmaking stocks.

“Damian McKenzie, he’s been a revelation at 10. He’s given us real spark. So, it’s great for the team,” he added.

“And you’ve got Ruben Love, who’s been outstanding, really. He was the best five-eighth in the country, but he’s out injured. He was very special. And you’ve got Richie Mo’unga, who’s got the reputation, just needs the opportunity. He’s class as well, so that’s great for the team.

“You look at the Wallabies, who are struggling to get their 10s on the field. We’ve got four guys who are all quality and experienced.”

Circling back to Ruben Love, who will miss the remainder of the Test season with an ankle injury, Henry offered an insight into how the youngster has found his first year in the black No.10 shirt.

After struggling to find minutes early in his All Blacks career, Love’s move to No.10 for the Hurricanes has quickly earned him the top job in the national team. As Henry revealed, the Greatest Rivalry series against the Springboks was a big moment for the 25-year-old.

” I was talking to Ruben Love, he said, ‘I’ve never experienced so much pressure playing rugby’.

“He said it’s just a massive difference from playing Super Rugby or the Test matches he’d played prior. The South Africans are a very, very good side. And well coached, and good people, and hugely motivated.

“You know they are the hope of their nation. A diverse group of young guys playing together, being the best in the world, in a country that, frankly, is struggling socially, struggling financially. And so I’ve only got total respect for them.”