Scott Barrett injury confirmed as All Blacks search for replacement

All Blacks captain Scott Barrett has been ruled out of the remainder of the Lipovitan-D July series against France after scans confirmed a tear.

Barrett left the field in Dunedin after 57 minutes in the first Test, a worrying sign that all was not right for a player who usually plays the 80 minutes.

“The process is medically at the moment, Scooter [Scott] won’t be available for the rest of the series,” assistant Hansen told media on Tuesday.

Du Toit on team alignment

Du Toit on team alignment

“There is some options for us to consider and we are going through that process at the moment.”

Hansen confirmed that Barrett succumbed to a calf injury and that Ardie Savea will take the captaincy in Barrett’s absence.

“At this stage it seems to be a lower leg [calf]. We trust our depth, it will be an opportunity for someone else to step in. come in,” he said.

“Ardie will come in and lead us well like he’s done the last number of weeks.

“He’s the Skip, it’s disappointing for us. He’s a massive part of this team.”

Barrett’s injury means there will be at least two new starters in Wellington, with a lock and winger required as Sevu Reece will miss the second Test as well.

In terms of Barrett’s squad replacement, Chiefs lock Naitoa Ah Koui trained with the squad in Dunedin and might be the first off the rank in terms of replacement options.

The All Blacks have Tupou Vaa’i and Patrick Tuipulotu in the squad already as options in the second row.