Jordie Barrett’s availability for the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Wellington is in serious doubt after suffering what appears to be an MCL injury to his left knee during the All Blacks’ 31-28 win over Australia in Sydney.
Barrett was forced off the field at halftime and All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson confirmed that his condition remains a concern.
It’s a headache for New Zealand and a major cause for concern for Irish province Leinster, who confirmed that they signed Barrett on a short-term deal back in April.
He is due to start his stint at the URC heavyweights in December.
The 27-year-old was filmed in a knee brace at Sydney International Airport, suggesting he’ll be out of action for a spell.
Robertson did not provide a definitive timeline for Barrett’s return but suggested caution, even if the scan shows no severe damage.
He says they’ve got that period of time to get that month under the belt to get the knee to 100 percent, and it gives them the opportunity to play a couple of other players.
This window of recovery time – with the All Blacks’ next match not until October 26 against Japan – should provide a chance for Barrett to rest and fully recover without being rushed back into action.
Further scans are set to determine the extent of Barrett’s injury but it’ll certainly be worrying for Leo Cullen, Jacques Nienaber and the rest of the Leinster coaching ticket.
Bledisloe II is set to kickoff at 7.05pm Saturday at the Cake Tin where the All Blacks have not won since 2018.
[Source: rugbypass]
