‘One of the best we’ve had’: Umaga’s praise for Jordie Barrett

All Blacks legend and current defence coach Tana Umaga believes Jordie Barrett could go down as one of the best midfielders the All Blacks have ever produced, pointing to his competitiveness, consistency and the standards he sets for himself.

As the All Blacks prepare for their second Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney, Barrett’s performance at Eden Park prompted a revealing exchange about the relationship between the midfielder and his coach.

Barrett said Umaga had taken him aside during preparations for the opening Test, offering guidance on how he could make his presence felt.

“For sure....Tana put his arm around me on Tuesday last week and just asked where I was at,” Barrett said.

“He gave me some pointers and some influence and where I can impact the test match.”

For Barrett, those conversations are part of an ongoing effort to improve his own game while helping the team move forward.

“He’s been great for me,” he said.

“I’m just trying to grow as an individual, as a player … and try and get wins with this All Black side.”

Asked about passing on advice, Umaga offered a different perspective.

“No, it’s really the other way around,” he said.

His admiration extended beyond Barrett’s skills and fitness to the qualities that underpin his performances.

Umaga highlighted Barrett’s desire to compete in every moment of every match, alongside his consistency and expectations of those around him. Above all, he admired the demands Barrett places on himself.

There is still room for further growth, Umaga believes, making his endorsement as much about Barrett’s potential as his current influence.

Umaga's assessment echoes that of head coach Dave Rennie who was also full of praise for Jordie in the All Blacks post-match press conference at Eden Park.

"Oh, he's been phenomenal all year. He was outstanding in South Africa. I just think he's taken his game to another level, it's not just the skill set, he's got a massive engine, and then his physicality, you know, his defence, and yeah, I thought he was excellent again tonight."

Captain Codie Taylor noted Jordie had earned the right to be in the conversation around the best midfielders in the world right now.

"Oh mate! You could probably have a 6, 7, 8 on his back and he wouldn't look out of place, he's one of those men, he's physical. You know, of late he hasn't been saying too much, but his actions on the field are world class. You know, he's definitely earned the right to be called probably one of the best, if not the best 12 in the world at the moment, not just through his attack, his brutality, everything that he does, he's physical, which is what you want to see as a forward when your 12 is prepared to throw his body onto everything."

For Barrett, Eden Park also provided a more personal moment, with his brothers alongside him in the starting side.

“You have a moment during the anthems, and it’s nice when you got two of your brothers standing there, and it’s good to see them back and playing well too.”

Watch: HIGHLIGHTS | All Blacks v Australia | Auckland, 2026 (Bledisloe Cup)

Bledisloe Cup secured, standards unchanged

With the Bledisloe Cup retained, the challenge now is to reproduce the performance that locked the trophy up for a 24th consecutive year.

Barrett said the disappointment of the South African tour had brought an edge to preparations at Eden Park. Against a confident Australian side, the All Blacks found improvements in key areas that had been exposed against the Springboks.

He pointed to Cam Roigard’s accurate kicking, which created opportunities to compete in the air and on the ground, and the physical platform established by the forwards.

Sydney brings a different challenge: delivering again away from home.

The absence of any silverware going on the line weekend has done little to alter the team’s approach.

“Our ambition and our goals haven’t really changed.”

Umaga echoed that message, saying that great teams place pressure on themselves to perform every week. The challenge is to sustain those expectations after the satisfaction of a strong response at Eden Park.

“The pressure we put on ourselves first and foremost, you know, should exceed what comes from outside.”

Watch: MINI MATCH | All Blacks v Australia | Auckland, 2026 (Bledisloe Cup)

‘Name those Kiwis’: no room for sentiment

Umaga’s competitive instincts were particularly clear when a reporter suggested some New Zealanders might welcome an Australian victory to reignite the rivalry.

Behind the light-hearted response was a firm belief that success must be earned. Umaga said competitive people do not want anything given to them, particularly at Test level.

He also recognised the threat of an Australian response. Les Kiss, his coaching staff and their players would be looking closely at the opening Test, with home advantage adding another dimension.

The All Blacks understand how sharply defeat can focus a team’s preparations, having experienced that themselves in South Africa.

“We can’t just rest on our laurels and, you know, be patting ourselves on the back for what we achieved last week,” Umaga said.

Watch: FULL MATCH | All Blacks v Australia | Auckland, 2026 (Bledisloe Cup)

Building towards the bigger goal

The immediate priority is Sydney, but both Barrett and Umaga acknowledged the value of these experiences with next year’s Rugby World Cup in mind.

Barrett described touring Australia as invaluable, particularly for younger players gaining minutes and experience within a new coaching environment.

Time together, exposure to different challenges and opportunities to face the Wallabies all contribute to the team’s development.

Umaga said the coaches and players were continuing to build their understanding of what Dave Rennie wants to implement, while keeping the longer-term objective in view.

For Barrett, that progress depends on consistency. Eden Park represented a step forward in areas the All Blacks wanted to improve. Sydney offers the opportunity to build on those gains.

“Just keep growing those … those parts of the game,” he said*, “and just get better as a side.”

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