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All Blacks and Leinster sweating on significant Jordie Barrett injury
By Ian Cameron
Jordie Barrett’s availability for the second Bledisloe Cup test in Wellington is in serious doubt after suffering what appears to be an MCL injury to his left knee during the All Blacks’ 31-28 win over Australia in Sydney.
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Barrett was forced off the field at halftime and All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson confirmed that his condition remains a concern.
It’s a headache for New Zealand and a major cause for concern for Irish province Leinster, who confirmed that they signed Barrett on a short-term deal back in April. He is due to start his stint at the URC heavyweights in December.
The 27-year-old was filmed in a knee brace at Sydney International Airport, suggesting he’ll be out of action for a spell.
“Sore and a scan tomorrow,” Robertson said when asked about Barrett’s injury. Barrett’s injury, which left him hobbling noticeably, raises the likelihood that the All Blacks will need to make further adjustments to their backline for the upcoming test.
Robertson did not provide a definitive timeline for Barrett’s return but suggested caution, even if the scan shows no severe damage.
“That’s right, we’ve got that period of time to get that month under the belt to get the knee to 100 per cent,” Robertson said. “And it gives us the opportunity to play a couple of other players.”
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This window of recovery time – with the All Blacks’ next match not until October 26 against Japan – should provide a chance for Barrett to rest and fully recover without being rushed back into action.
His absence in Wellington will force another reshuffle of the backline, continuing a pattern of injury-enforced changes throughout this Rugby Championship campaign.
“Sometimes when your hand’s forced, it can be a positive, the way it’s worked out with guys taking opportunities this year,” said Robertson.
Further scans are set to determine the extent of Barrett’s injury but it’ll certainly be worrying for Leo Cullen, Jacques Nienaber and the rest of the Leinster coaching ticket. Barrett and Springbok second-row RG Snyman were the Irish giants’ two mega-star signings over the summer and they look to end a barren run without silverware.
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A shame for Jordie but i think this is ultimately a good thing for the ABs. We need a more powerful carrier at 12 moving forward.
Billy Proctor should positively get a start on his home track, Sky Stadium.
Anyways if he ticks all the boxes he'll definitely be all good to go since playing against Fiji in San Diego many, many moons ago???.
They've got David Havili waiting to fit in nicely.
I agree, David Havilli is the man. He played well in last weeks Shield game. I hope they have the guts to pick him.
It is a real shame about Jordie Barrett , he was playing well. But Beauden can surely not be slotted back to fullback.Will Jordan was one of the AB's best at 15 on Saturday, a long with Cortez Ratima and Wallace Sititi. It has to be said that things got better up front when Tamaiti Williams came on, in the scrum and around the field. The guy is a force of nature.
Agree with everything you said.
Yeah I was really impressed with him, a shame that de Groot underperformed though. Lomax has got to get off the field sooner. When Tosi got the ball he made some good carries.
That was what I expected from Will Jordan. That's the kind of thing he has been doing for years at fullback now, just had to get used to his role again. I think it will be difficult to play him at fullback again though with Jordie Barrett gone, as JB and DMac seem to be the main kickers in the squad.
Cortez Ratima incredible as usual. I never want to see TJP in an All Blacks Jersey again though. Noah Hotham should be given a shot, basically younger Cam Roigard.
“Sometimes when your hand’s forced, it can be a positive, the way it’s worked out with guys taking opportunities this year...” It would be more encouraging if selection, rather than injuries determined opportunities. The best form has been from players not rated "automatic selections" by the coaches.
Exactly. All the positive changes for the All Blacks for several years now, have (for the most part) been injury enforced. When the younger players are finally put in there, they're standing up, unlike a lot of the senior players.
Unfortunately, Razor seems to be continuing the conservative unless it's forced upon him approach to everything.