[ad_1]
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has been forced to make a late trade for the Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia, retiring fullback Beauden Barrett.
Your playlist will load after this announcement.
Damian McKenzie, who completely missed the starting 23, will be a direct trade at fullback. Source: 1 NEWS
The Blues’ star playmaker is out with an Achilles injury, with Damian McKenzie coming out of the clouds to start in his place.
“Baudie’s Achilles blew up a bit in training yesterday afternoon,” Foster said today in a light training session.
“He calmed down overnight and he’s not too bad, he’s kicking now, but we just made a decision for the first test to get him out early.”
Foster’s decision to recruit at McKenzie is surprising given that the 25-year-old was not on the 23-man squad for tomorrow’s test at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
Yesterday, the All Blacks manager admitted that Jordie Barrett, who will start in the band, was “probably 15th in the country.”
However, the New Zealand coach for the first time has opted for the Chiefs man because “he’s a quality 15 and he’s ready to play.”
“It means less disruption for the rest of the team and all other positions stay the same,” Foster said.
Captain Sam Cane said the decision was on the edge.
“He probably could have played in a push, but there is quite a bit of rugby ahead,” he said.
“Obviously, it’s disappointing for Beaudie … but he knows it’s the smart move.”
Despite the drama, the All Blacks will start as healthy favorites against the Wallabies, who have not beaten New Zealand for 19 years on Kiwi soil.
Cane, who will lead the All Blacks for the first time as designated captain, said they weren’t counting on a win.
“It’s going to be an incredible test match. These always are. It will be physical. It will be fast. It will test us all physically and mentally,” he said.
“And that’s what we want.”
