Rugby: Beauden Barrett ruled out for All Blacks Bledisloe Cup first round against Australia

The latest twist in the All Blacks fullback debate has ruled Beauden Barrett from the first test of the Bledisloe Cup in Wellington on Sunday.

Barrett, named to start fullback and continue his play-making duties with Richie Mo’unga, modified his Achilles in practice Thursday and the All Blacks have chosen to err on the side of caution.

“Beauden is out and Damian is in at 15,” All Blacks coach Ian Foster said in a brief media confrontation as his men completed their captaincy career at Sky Stadium on Saturday afternoon. “Beauden’s Achilles fired up a bit in training yesterday afternoon. He calmed down overnight, he’s not too bad, he’s kicking now, but we’ve made a decision in the first test to get him out early.”

Barrett’s injury is minor, and Foster expects him to recover for Bledisloe’s second tie next week at Eden Park.

“It certainly looks like he’s out there kicking and running, but the way he tensed up and hit him yesterday, we don’t want to take that risk tomorrow.”

Foster had the option to trade Jordie Barrett from right wing to fullback, where he was the form contender during this year’s Super Rugby season, but the All Blacks want him to continue to advance his skills as a player.

Rookie Crusaders off back Will Jordan was another consideration as a fullback, but Foster opted to hand McKenzie his first test in nearly two years after a difficult period in which he tore his ACL and missed the Cup campaign. World Cup last year.

“Because he’s a quality 15 out of the box,” Foster said of McKenzie’s promotion from outside the original 23-man team to the starting team. “It means less interruptions for the rest of the team, all other positions remain the same.”

McKenzie will also act as Mo’unga’s cover at issue # 10.

All Blacks captain Sam Cane is confident that the latest distraction will not disrupt the team.

“It’s disappointing for Beauden, he was obviously looking forward to this game,” Cane said. “He knows it’s a smart move. He could have played in a push, but there is quite a bit of rugby ahead and we are fully confident that Damian will step up.”