NZ injury scare: Barrett misses training session, given window to recover
The All Blacks have attempted to calm fears around a potential injury to fullback cum centre Jordie Barrett, after he missed New Zealand’s Monday training.
Barrett watched on in Lyon as his teammates trained, leaving Ian Foster and co. to sweat over his availability for the Rugby World Cup opener against France on Friday.
The 26-year-old has been given ‘today and tomorrow’ to prove his fitness.
“He’s just got a niggle. We are just taking precautions,” said New Zealand defence coach Scott McLeod. “It’s a wait and see. It’s still early in the week for us. So, we will just wait and see how he responds today and tomorrow to a little bit more treatment.”
The All Blacks – who will name their team to play France later this week – have contingency plans should Barrett need to be replaced.
“Always. That is what we do [have contingency plans]. Our whole squad prepares to play, right up until warm-up and the game day,” said McLeod. “He [Barrett] has been really important to our play. However, we trust our full squad and we are going to have to in this World Cup.
“He’s a little bit frustrated with it, as would any athlete. Same as Tyrel Lomax (injured prop). They just have to go through what they have got to do and trust our medical staff, who are world class, and see how the treatment goes.”
McLeod admits that the pain of losing to France in 2021 still hurts and will fuel their performance against the tournament hosts later this week.
“There’s still a knot in our gut from the last time we were here. That hurt and we have held on to that a little bit. A couple of clips have been shown, which still hurts the boys.
“Just a couple (of clips), particularly on our kick-chase. We relaxed thinking we would get them and didn’t, they ran out and around us and they got through us. That suits their style of play. They look for the space and run into it well and they feed off each other.
“The players are sick to death of seeing that (a counter-attack during that 40-25 loss led by the now-injured French fly-half Romain Ntamack), particularly a couple that were featured in it a bit. That’s still the hurt, right, for them and you want players to feel that a bit and not let it happen again.
“Training the last couple of days I think the loss to them (France) last time, our performance against South Africa and the (fact it is) the opening game (of Rugby World Cup 2023) all combine to heighten the sense of this game.
“It is one we thrive in and that we love but some of the players also know the pressure of playing the World Cup at home and we’re sure France will feel that. So, the occasion is going to be massive. We feel the support all around the place for them, so we are really looking forward to kick-off.”
The All Blacks are ready to face the massive physical challenge of the French, who have had their own injury issues to contend with. They’ve lost the services of Paul Willemse, who looks likely to miss the entire competition.
“[They’ve a] Massive pack, who are mobile and have skills. They are very good driving and playing around the lineouts so the work we have done, we hope, has really strengthened us there and we are ready for that.
“Then on the flip side, the way they use the ball, their flair and their skillsets and their ability to see space and pass to it, run to it, kick to it, we respect that a lot.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Good summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to comments