Barrett ready to step up in Cruden’s absence

The circumstances behind Beauden Barrett’s promotion to first choice No.10 may not be ideal, but the New Zealand utility man is hoping to make the shirt his own in Argentina.

Aaron Cruden’s late-night antics in an Auckland bar resulted in his omission from the touring party, leaving Barrett as the likely man to step in at fly-half.

Steve Hansen has called up the Crusaders’ Tom Taylor as Cruden’s replacement, but may prefer to have the experience of 23-times capped Barrett in the starting line-up against the Pumas on Saturday.

And Barrett, who’s New Zealand side host the British and Irish Lions in 2017, knows what a big chance he may have been presented against the team he started against in Napier three weeks ago.

“Potentially it's a great opportunity for me,” Barrett told Fairfax Media. “I'll just prepare as I normally do. It's another challenge, Argentina at home.

“I'll find out if I'm next in line when the team is named. We've just got to move on as a team. There's a big challenge.

“It's another step up, especially [when rainy] conditions like [in Napier] make it difficult. It gives me a bit of confidence, if selected, that I'm used to playing them.

“Hopefully with the weather like it is at the moment we can expect this and play an expansive game.”