All Blacks call up Josh Ioane ahead of Bledisloe Cup II as Beauden Barrett will not be attending training

3:04 am, October 14, 2020

The Highlanders and Josh Ioane, Otago’s top five, have been called up to train with the All Blacks team ahead of their second Bledisloe Cup game against the Wallabies in Auckland this Sunday.

The single-test playmaker, who was involved in Otago’s 35-34 win over Wellington on Saturday, was seen training with Ian Foster’s team three days after they drew 16 with Australia in their first game of the year in the Sky Stadium.

The recall comes as Beauden Barrett was notably absent from All Blacks training on Wednesday morning, according to 1 News.

Barrett was named to start as fullback last weekend but scratched the eve of the game with an Achilles tendon injury that was expected to only rule him out for that test.

Replaced in the starting lineup by Chiefs star Damian McKenzie, Barrett was reportedly still with the team on Wednesday but trained out of the group.

His absence will raise questions about whether he will be fit to play this weekend, as the All Blacks look to maintain a 34-year undefeated streak against the Wallabies at Eden Park.

If it isn’t available, Richie Mo’unga is likely to stick with the number 10 jersey, with Ioane getting a chance to be part of the game day squad.

Ioane’s provincial teammate Liam Coltman was also seen training with the All Blacks, joining the contingent of prostitutes on the national team that also consists of Codie Taylor, Dane Coles and Asafo Aumua.

Two other All Blacks who have been ruled out due to injury in recent months, Ngani Laumape and Scott Barrett, were also present at the team’s training on Wednesday.