The All Blacks have suffered a major blow with one of the Barrett brothers ruled out of the remaining two Tests of the series against France.
Captain Scott Barrett will play no further part after being ruled out with a calf muscle tear he suffered in the narrow 31-27 win over Les Bleus in Dunedin.
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It was initially feared to be an Achilles issue, but a scan confirmed a calf tear, which means Barrett will miss Saturday’s second Test in Wellington and the final match in Hamilton a week later.
Ardie Savea will assume the captaincy. The 2023 World Player of the Year has been in outstanding form for Super Rugby’s Moana Pasifika this year.
Assistant coach Scott Hansen said Barrett would be a big loss: “We’ll take it week to week. He’ll be keen to get back as quickly as possible, but we’ve got to do what’s right for him and the injury process.
“We trust our depth. It will be an opportunity for someone else to step up, and Ardie will come in and lead us well.”
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The injury will force a reshuffle in the starting side, with winger Sevu Reece also confirmed out after suffering a concussion in the first minute of Saturday’s first Test.
Rookie Fabian Holland played the full 80 minutes at lock, while Tupou Vaa’i, who started at blindside flanker, moved back to lock for the final 20 minutes. Head coach Scott Robertson could bring Patrick Tuipulotu into the starting side alongside Holland.
Robertson will name his team for the second Test on Thursday.
© Agence France-Presse
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