The All Blacks switching star fly-half Beauden Barrett to fullback just a few weeks before the Rugby World Cup shocked many but Wallabies skills coach Mick Byrne predicted it two years ago.
So revealed Australia's utility back Dane Haylett-Petty on Monday, ahead of the first Bledisloe Cup clash on Saturday in Perth.
Barrett was named the World Rugby player of the year in 2016 and 2017 via his brilliance in the All Black no.10 shirt but the emergence of Richie Mounga at the all-conquering Crusaders in recent seasons forced Steve Hansen to re-arrange his playmakers.
The All Blacks fielded Mounga at no.10 against the Springboks in Wellington two weeks ago, with Barrett moved to fullback.
It was a sizeable gamble for the normally conservative Hansen, and though the All Blacks drew with the Boks, the Wallabies are expecting the same combination to be trialled against them, either in Perth or Auckland.
Quizzed about the Mounga-Barrett selection on Monday, Haylett-Petty said he thought it was a "very dangerous" mix and revealed Byrne - a former long-term All Blacks assistant coach - had called it several years out.
"I think they needed to give it a go. You don’t want to be testing too much, they’ve got a big pool game against South Africa in the World Cup,” Haylett-Petty said.
“Interestingly enough, probably two years ago I remember Mick Byrne, who has spent a lot of time with the All Blacks, was saying he thought Barrett would play 15 at the World Cup, which I found really surprising.
"Now a couple months out he is having a run around there.”
Reaction in New Zealand was mixed about the Mounga-Barrett double-act after they drew with South Africa but Haylett-Petty said he could see the smarts in Hansen’s move.
"I think probably the combination with Mounga just the two ball players, playing both sides of the ruck and obviously they are both very good ball players and are very dangerous,” he said.
"And then I suppose Barrett’s pace, to open up games on turnover and counter, so I think that’s probably what they’re looking for.”
Haylett-Petty is hoping to be back in the selection frame to play in his hometown after being left out in the Wallabies’ win over Argentina in Brisbane.
The ultra-reliable Melbourne Rebel fullback scored a try in Johannesburg against South Africa but also had forgettable moments, including missing a chance for a second try and allowing the Boks to score down his wing with a badly-judged ruck involvement.
Haylett-Petty was seen as the likely occupier of the Wallabies no.15 following Israel Folau’s departure but Tom Banks’ form for the Brumbies in 2019 saw him given first shot, and Kurtley Beale held the role in Brisbane.
Haylett-Petty said he was uncertain if Michael Cheika had plans to give him a shot at no.15, and that he was comfortable playing wing.
"I haven’t chatted to him too much about it. I played that first game on the wing and I enjoy playing on the wing,” Haylett-Petty said.
"I do like playing fullback but I also enjoy playing wing. I get asked that a lot and I genuinely enjoy playing both for different reasons. On the wing I like contesting for high balls and chasing kicks and get a little bit more space at times. Hard to stay out of the game at fullback, a little bit more of a kicking game and ball-playing. I enjoy both.”
Though back three roles have a lot in common, Haylett-Petty conceded there was an element of transition required to moving from fullback to wing.
"There’s definitely some differences. There’s also differences when you come into the team and there is changes and game plans from Rebels to the Wallabies,” he said.
"Hopefully I get some more opportunities throughout the year and get to improve every week with that.”
The Wallabies take on New Zealand at Optus Stadium, Perth, on Saturday August 10, kicking off at 5;45pm local, 7;45pm AEST, with the Wallaroos-Black Ferns kicking off at 3pm local, 5pm AEST. The Wallabies are LIVE on Network Ten, FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and RUGBY.com.au RADIO while the Wallaroos will be shown on FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
