Damian McKenzie will wear the No.10 jersey against the Wallabies in Perth next weekend after Beauden Barrett was ruled out of the trip with a shoulder injury.
Barrett suffered the AC joint problem 27 minutes into last night’s 33-24 victory over Australia which allowed the All Blacks retain the Bledisloe Cup and stay alive in the Rugby Championship.
His departure coincided with a big Wallabies’ comeback at Eden Park, the visitors closing from 20-3 down to 20-17 at halftime and giving the All Blacks a scare until they all but made the game safe via Cam Roigard’s second try of the evening.
The All Blacks will not bring in extra cover for the pivotal position, with McKenzie and Ruben Love, the latter not required last night after being named on the bench for the devastating loss to the Boks in Wellington, deemed as adequate depth by the selectors.
McKenzie’s last Test in the No.10 jersey was the third match of the July series against France – an uneven 29-19 victory in Hamilton which was not sealed until the final quarter after the visitors led at halftime.
“It’s a great opportunity for him,” assistant coach Jason Ryan said of McKenzie today as his side prepared to fly out for Western Australia.
Barrett is not the only casualty from a tough Test in which the Wallabies pushed the All Blacks all the way.
Prop Ethan de Groot, who clashed heads in an ugly accident with All Blacks’ lock Fabian Holland, failed his head injury assessment and has not travelled either. Tevita Mafileo has been called in as cover.
Wing Caleb Clarke, who scored the All Blacks’ first try after watching his dad Eroni, a former All Blacks, sing the national anthem in what was a touching surprise, injured the same ankle which has troubled him previously but has travelled and will be assessed during the week.
Lock Tupou Vaa’i, excellent again last night, was replaced in the second half by Patrick Tuipulotu due to a knee injury but is expected to be available. Fellow lock and skipper Scott Barrett should be available after missing last night's Test with a shoulder problem.
Beauden Barrett ruled out with shoulder injury ahead of Bledisloe Cup clash. (Source: 1News)
Forwards coach Ryan, who was far more satisfied with his team’s set piece and composure under the high ball, said being able to withstand the Wallabies’ comeback – a trademark for them this year – should stand his men in good stead.
“We can take a lot of confidence from that,” he said. “We had a lot of chaos early with the injuries – [midfielder] Quinn Tupaea on the wing and he hasn’t really trained that. That’s when you back the boys to be instinctive and play what’s in front of them.”
Tupaea, who replaced Clarke on the left, played an important role in setting up Roigard’s second try with five minutes remaining which effectively sealed the Test.
Not surprisingly, Roigard, in his first Test of the Rugby Championship after returning from a broken foot, received most of the plaudits after a gripping Test which extended the All Blacks’ undefeated record at their fortress to 52 Tests.
Asked whether the 24-year-old, who only made his Test debut two years ago, could qualify as a “hybrid” No.7, No.9 and No.10 due to his power and running threat around the breakdown, Ryan replied: “He’s different in his physique. He’s powerful and he’s just instinctive.”
Fullback Will Jordan said immediately afterwards: “He’s someone who has been around a few years now but has had a few little injuries which have not held him back but halted his climb.
“I know how hard he works and how competitive he is. He wants to be out there in those big games… I certainly wasn’t surprised by the way he played; his kicking game, the way he took his tries, his general chat and leadership… I was really pleased for him.”
Head coach Scott Robertson said simply: “A great shift. He’s just a quality athlete and rugby player.”
As for the team’s overall performance, Ryan said the breakdown still required work but: “I thought we bounced forward, really. There were parts of that Test where we played some outstanding rugby.”
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