All Blacks: Damian McKenzie handed competition for fly-half shirt as Beauden Barrett replacement named
All Blacks fly-half Damian McKenzie in action against England and the cover for Beauden Barrett, Harry Plummer.
Scott Robertson has decided to bring another fly-half into the All Blacks squad after he called up Harry Plummer.
The 26-year-old joins the group as a replacement for Beauden Barrett, who was ruled out of the Ireland clash due to a head injury sustained against England.
Barrett was forced off in the final quarter of the match at Twickenham and failed his HIA.
As a result, the fly-half will undergo return-to-play protocols and miss their encounter with Andy Farrell’s men at the Aviva Stadium on Friday.
Damian McKenzie will be the heavy favourite to retake the number 10 jersey having dropped behind Barrett in the pecking order recently.
2024 fly-half battle
The Chiefs star began the season as first choice All Blacks pivot and started the opening eight games before making way in the final encounter of the Rugby Championship.
“He’s pretty laid back, DMac, he’ll take whatever role is required. He’s had the keys for a period of time and he’s got them back in his hands now,” head coach Robertson told reporters.
Meanwhile, Plummer had a brief taste of Test rugby after playing three minutes against Australia in September, but he has been with the second-string All Blacks XV recently.
He featured in the 38-24 victory over Munster at Thomond Park and could well come into contention for a place in the 23 to face Ireland next weekend.
The playmaker will compete with McKenzie, Stephen Perofeta and Ruben Love for spots in the 23, although the former will likely be in the number 10 jersey.
Elsewhere, the All Blacks will also be without hooker Codie Taylor for the Dublin contest, with Brodie McAlister coming into the squad for the first time.
“Codie’s a world class hooker, among the best two or three in the world, and in great form,” Robertson said.
“Beauden was conducting the game pretty well, we thought, until the bang.
“They’ll be missed obviously but they’ll be around giving their wisdom and preparing the rest of the players.”
Hooker options
Asafo Aumua came on early against England following Taylor’s departure and looks set to start in Dublin next Friday.
That has therefore opened the door for the inexperienced George Bell to come onto the bench.
Robertson added: “Asafo, it was a great moment for him. He’d worked really hard to make sure that when he got an opportunity like that, he took it.”
In other squad news, back-rower Christian Lio-Willie will remain in All Blacks camp, while centre Billy Proctor has returned to New Zealand as he and his partner await the birth of their first child.
