Hurricanes coach Jason Holland has doubled down on his use of Jordie Barrett in midfield, as debate continues over the All Blacks star's best position.
As the Hurricanes - along with the four other NZ Super Rugby sides - have named their 2023 squads, Barrett is listed as an outside back, despite playing most of 2022 in the No.12 jersey.
His versatility has been a hot topic for franchise and country, with All Blacks coach Ian Foster insisting he prefers to see the youngest Barrett brother at fullback.
However, circumstance also forced Foster's hand in the All Blacks' last outing, giving Barrett his first test start at second-five in the 40-14 victory over Australia at Eden Park.
With outstanding young outside backs Ruben Love and Josh Moorby named in the Hurricanes' 38-man squad for 2023, Holland states Barrett, 25, will continue as a second-five.
"I like him at 12," said Holland. "I think he's just as much a 12 as he is a 15.
"We played him at 12 last season and think he's got an awesome skillset.
"He's probably one of the guys that gives you the go-forward, to let people around [him] play really well.
"His skillset and the fact he's quite a tough bugger makes him a pretty good 12 for me."
Despite flying the flag for Barrett in midfield, Holland won't rule out swapping him between midfield and fullback, when the Hurricanes push for a second Super Rugby title next year.
"It's still a bit of both," Holland added. "It's always going to be what's best for the team, but generally, I think Jordie Barrett's best spot is at 12."
Holland also confirms all New Zealand Super Rugby sides must observe All Blacks rest weeks in 2023.
Since before Rugby World Cup 2019, Super Rugby franchises have had to manage their All Blacks stars' minutes, as a means of keeping them fresh for upcoming tournaments, and with the World Cup in France around the corner, next year is no exception.
"It's up to us to manage, it's just that players can't play more than five in a row," Holland confirmed. "That's up to us to manage, rotate and do some planning around, when we think is the best time for people to take their break.
"That will mean when they have their week off, they're out of the environment for that week too.
"It's for us to manage, we've just got to get well-planned on it."