‘It doesn’t look particularly good’ – Beauden Barrett joins Damian McKenzie on the sidelines as disaster strikes for Scott Robertson and the All Blacks

All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury in the Blues’ Super Rugby Pacific defeat on Friday.

The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year was making his first start of the campaign at fly-half and looked in fine form against the Brumbies.

Barrett touched down in the opening quarter and guided his team around the field impressively as the Blues took a 20-10 lead into the interval.

However, the All Blacks great did not appear for the second period due to a hand issue and, when asked about it, head coach of the Auckland outfit, Vern Cotter, was not too positive.

Cotter’s comment

“It doesn’t look particularly good,” Cotter said bluntly.

It was to get even worse for the Blues boss and his charges as the Brumbies mounted a superb comeback and ended up claiming a shock 21-20 triumph at the home of the defending champions.

Declan Meredith scored eight points via a try and penalty to get his side to within touching distance before Ryan Lonergan’s 79th minute three-pointer won the game for the Canberra-based team.

It ended 12 years of hurt for the Aussies, who had not beaten the Blues away from home since 2013, but for the Aucklanders their pain could only just be beginning in regards to Barrett.

Scott Robertson may also be concerned in what has been a pretty disastrous opening to Super Rugby Pacific for the All Blacks boss.

Beauden Barrett switches roles for ‘scrambling’ Blues ahead of first Trans-Tasman clash

Fly-half was a problem position in 2024 and it could well cause an issue in 2025 given that both Barrett and Damian McKenzie are currently on the sidelines.

Fortunately, McKenzie’s problem is not deemed serious, despite concerns that he took a knock to the same knee he seriously injured in 2019.

“He went in for a scan, and fortunately it’s not too bad,” Chiefs coach Roger Randle told reporters. “He’s a tough little bugger.

“I spoke to him the next morning and he said he was feeling pretty good as well, so the scan kind of just confirmed that.”

Impact on the All Blacks

McKenzie should only be out short-term but it is not yet clear how long Barrett will be on the sidelines for and how it could all affect Robertson and the All Blacks.

Interestingly, neither player has had much game time at 10 so far this season, which seems an odd call given New Zealand’s issues during the 2024 Test season.

Cotter finally moved Barrett to pivot for the Brumbies clash but, given that he only lasted until half-time, the two All Blacks playmakers have not had many opportunities in the fly-half jersey in 2025.

What makes it more concerning for Robertson is that their third choice last year, Harry Plummer, will not be considered after signing a three-year deal with Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne.

New Zealand Rugby had hoped to bring Richie Mo’unga back from his stint in Japan early, but that plan never came to fruition, leaving the fly-half situation up in the air.

There is still plenty of time left in the Super Rugby Pacific campaign, but the All Blacks will hope that both McKenzie and Barrett return sooner rather than later and get some chances in the 10 jersey before the France series in July.

READ MORE: Injured Damian McKenzie dubbed a ‘tough little bugger’ as Chiefs provide update on All Blacks star