The sight of Jordie Barrett in a tracksuit and taking only a limited part in training today will not be reassuring for those All Blacks’ fans wary of Ireland’s threat at Eden Park on Saturday.
The key All Blacks midfielder, outstanding in the first two Tests of the year, received what management are describing only as a “knock to his leg” and – with this workload already elevated during the victories against France and Italy –are taking it easy at the start of what will be a momentous week.
“He’s carrying a little bit of an injury so we’re just being cautious with him,” assistant coach Mike Blair told the assembled media after the team trained in bright sunshine at North Harbour Stadium.
“He’s been really important to us for the last couple of games and for the last few years as well. We’re just making sure he gets back to 100%.”
If there is anyone the All Blacks cannot do without on Saturday it is Barrett, the No.12 who played a season for Dublin club Leinster last year and has been one of the more consistently high performers over the past fortnight.
Barrett, 29, has been an excellent sounding board for Ruben Love – relatively new to this level and, certainly, the No.10 jersey – and has found a balance with his kicking and running game that some of his teammates have struggled to match.
Barrett’s high-impact game and leadership will be key against an Ireland team ranked No.3 in the world who will arrive at Eden Park with a genuine belief they can end the All Blacks’ 52-Test unbeaten streak at their fortress and, indeed, is probably one of the few players, alongside skipper Ardie Savea, guaranteed a start when fit.
The possibility of older brother Beauden playing is far less certain. The 35-year-old has not played a part in either of the first Tests of the year and, while he could replace Damian McKenzie at fullback, or play a role on the bench, it appears that Love still has the inside running for the No.10 jersey as he builds on a solid start.
Asked about Beauden, Blair, the former Scotland international halfback, said Beauden’s quality at training showed why he has 144 Test caps.
"When you watch him train that’s not surprising," Blair said. "Some of his short-game touches and his vision and composure… you can see exactly why he’s got those caps.
“It will be a difficult period for him I’m sure seeing Ruben come in but I’ll think he’ll understand that as well. Ruben is a young 10 coming through and it’s important to give him a couple of games to steady his feet and allow him to learn but Beauden is still very much in the picture.”
Blair said of Love: “He hasn’t skipped a beat all week. Throughout the whole campaign, he’s been a really impressive young man.”
Likewise, 24-year-old loose forward Anton Segner, who made his debut for the All Blacks last weekend when he came off the bench at halftime against Italy.
The German-born Segner has made a good fist of the start to his Test career. He is clearly a tough and clever young man with excellent rugby instincts and his rise to the top and performance in Wellington has not gone unnoticed overseas.
“It’s been huge and I’m getting a direct response on my social media,” Segner said today. “I’m getting plenty of comments and messages of support and people saying how proud they are of me… the Germany rugby president got in touch with me to say that '‘all of German rugby is right behind you'.
“It goes to show that the All Blacks are bigger than just a New Zealand rugby team, they definitely have a global impact, even in non-rugby nations like Germany.”
Segner was asked to describe his memories of the All Blacks playing Ireland and cited the 2013 Test in Dublin that was won by the visitors after the 80 minutes was up, thanks to a Ryan Crotty try in the left corner. He did however get the year wrong, although that's not surprising given Segner was 12 years old at the time.
“That’s one picture that’s been floating in my head over the last couple of days when I think about iconic Irish-All Blacks Tests,” he said. “That’s a prime example and it also shows what it takes to beat the Irish is an 80-minute effort.”
The challenge up front will also be a step up, he said.
“We’re going to have to roll our sleeves up. The Irish are a good pack – at set piece, especially, we’re going to have to be right on.”
There was a quirk of timing with the All Blacks today, with some youngsters invited to train with them, including one Charles Howlett, the son of former All Blacks wing Doug, who had his Test try record eclipsed by Will Jordan at the weekend.
Charles, who attends Auckland Grammar School and is a chip off the old block looks-wise, has shown promise as an outside back.
Meanwhile, Italy lock Niccolo Cannone has been banned for four weeks after being red carded against the All Blacks.
SHARE ME