Beauden Barrett makes All Blacks history after 148 caps as remarkable wait ends

Beauden Barrett has won two Rugby World Cups, been named the best player on the planet twice and played 148 Tests for New Zealand.

But there is one thing the All Blacks legend has never done.

Captain his country in a Test match.

That remarkable wait will finally end on Saturday when the 35-year-old leads New Zealand against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

And the milestone comes with a rather extraordinary statistic involving legendary captain Richie McCaw.

McCaw captained the All Blacks a record 110 times during his glittering international career.

Barrett, meanwhile, has played 148 Tests without once leading New Zealand in a full international.

He has spent much of his career playing under established captains, including McCaw, Kieran Read, Sam Cane and his own younger brother, Scott.

Now, more than 14 years after making his international debut, Barrett finally gets his turn.

Saturday will also see him surpass McCaw's 148 Test appearances, moving into second place on New Zealand's all-time list.

Only Sam Whitelock, with 153 caps, remains ahead.

There is another unusual twist to Barrett's appointment.

Younger brother Scott has already experienced something Beauden has waited more than a decade to enjoy.

Captaining the All Blacks.

Scott, who previously held the captaincy under Scott Robertson, will start in the second row against Wales.

For once, the younger Barrett brother will be following his older sibling into battle.

New Zealand Rugby confirmed the appointment on Thursday, with head coach Dave Rennie paying tribute to his experienced full-back.

"Beauden brings such valuable experience and is massively respected by us all," Rennie said.

"Captaining the All Blacks in a Test is an honour that I know he doesn't take lightly so it'll be a proud day for him and his whānau."

Barrett has also reached 50 Test tries, moving ahead of former All Blacks winger Doug Howlett's tally of 49.

He now trails Will Jordan's New Zealand record of 56.

Rennie has made eight changes to the starting XV for Saturday's Nations Championship clash, with Richie Mo'unga returning at fly-half.

New Zealand have not lost to Wales since 1953.

But for Barrett, this weekend represents something rather special.

Richie McCaw captained the All Blacks 110 times.

Beauden Barrett has waited 148 Tests for his first.

On Saturday, one of New Zealand's greatest players finally gets his turn.

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