Hurricanes flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi, in line to make his test debut off the bench against France in Dunedin tonight, was never afraid to get stuck in when Barrett’s brother, Jordie, invited him to the family farm as a teenager.
"Du’Plessis was good friends with Jordie at school," Scott Barrett said.
"He came out to the farm and we were doing home kill one day and he mucked in and helped out.
Kirifi is one of four new caps alongside Highlanders lock Fabian Holland, who packs down next to his captain, Otago No 8 Christian Lio-Willie and Chiefs prop Ollie Norris.
"I actually said personally to Du’Plessis that he’s certainly ready for test match rugby," Barrett said.
"He plays a physical game, combative, loves the breakdown — he’s going to be a real asset to this team going forward."
Much of the pre-game talk has been around the French bringing a weakened team to New Zealand shores, France coach Fabien Galthie naming eight new caps for the first test.
Many have called the second-string team disrespectful, but Barrett disagreed.
"I don’t think it’s disrespectful.
"Fabien, and their management, will select their team that’s appropriate to play us.
"I’m sure they’re going to fire everything at us."
The All Blacks have been far from their best against the French in recent years and have lost the past three tests.
"We’re certainly not reading into that it’s a weakened French side.
"Any French side that plays against the All Blacks, you have to give them the upmost respect and we’ve certainly prepared like that.
"We certainly ... haven’t had much success over recent years against the French — looking to turn that around."
