All Blacks tour dealt MASSIVE blow as experienced star heads home due to injury
Jordie Barrett during an All Blacks training session (inset) and in action at Test level.
The All Blacks’ Grand Slam campaign suffered a major setback when it was confirmed that inside centre Jordie Barrett will miss the rest of their tour due to injury.
Barrett was forced off the field in the 15th minute of New Zealand’s 26-13 victory over Ireland in Chicago on Saturday due to a high ankle sprain and knee ligament damage.
Scans revealed the full extent of Barrett’s injury
The 78-Test All Black was replaced by Leicester Fainga’anuku in that encounter and went to hospital after the side arrived in Edinburgh earlier this week for their clash with Scotland, and scans revealed the full extent of his injury.
The All Blacks are set to face off against Gregor Townsend’s charges at Murrayfield on Saturday before they take on England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on November 15 and Wales at the Principality Stadium on November 22.
Barrett is returning to New Zealand on Thursday morning and will begin his rehabilitation under the Hurricanes’ medical team.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has not called up a replacement for Barrett to his squad.
All Blacks’ win over Ireland proves costly as key duo injury doubts ahead of Scotland clash
In the match against Ireland, Leicester Faninga’anuku came on as Barrett’s replacement and slotted into the outside centre position with Quinn Tupaea, who started in that role, shifting to inside centre.
Apart from Tupaea and Faninga’anuku, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane will also come into reckoning for the midfield positions when Robertson names his side for the Scotland encounter.
All Blacks skipper also ruled out of Scotland Test
Meanwhile, All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett, who left the field against Ireland in the third minute due to a badly cut leg, which required a dozen stitches.
The second-row is unavailable for the Scotland Test, but it is unclear how long he will be on the sidelines.
Blues lock Josh Beehre was called up to New Zealand’s senior squad from the All Blacks XV as cover earlier this week.
Fabian Holland and Josh Lord are favourites to pack down in the engine room against the Scots, while Sam Darry and Samipeni Finau are also in the running to be included in the All Blacks’ starting line-up for that match.
