LEINSTER BOUND JORDIE Barrett is unavailable for New Zealand’s game against Italy on Saturday night in Turin due to a knee injury.
The versatile back “has been ruled out this week with a knee injury,” according to the All Blacks team announcement statement.
Barrett is due to make the move to Leinster until the end of the season following the November internationals.
The 27-year-old injured his knee while playing for the All Blacks against Australia in September, but recovered to play in wins against England and Ireland this month. Yet Barrett came off injured against France last Saturday.
New Zealand’s final match of their tour will also be the final match in the black jersey for long-serving Sam Cane, who has 103 caps to his name, and TJ Perenara, who has 88 caps and starts on the bench.
Final Test of the year, Sam Cane & TJ Perenara’s final game in the black jersey. Ready to put out a performance to be proud of 🇳🇿 #AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/BxwMIJzIsj
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 21, 2024
“As our first ever match in Turin, our final match of the 2024 Test season, and the farewell match for Sam and TJ, this will be a great occasion,” said Scott Robertston, the All Blacks head coach.
“We are determined to finish our season in a way that honours and celebrates the immense contribution that Sam and TJ have made to the black jersey.”
Should move to Ulster wers he’s actually needed
@Gary Galligan: When Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe, Keenan, Osborne and O’Brien are away on international duty then he’s absolutely vital at Leinster because he can fit in multiple roles. Makes perfect sense. He’ll bring amazing leadership and experience especially for the younger lads like O’Brien, Turner, Russell, Brownlee, McErlean, King, Cooney and A Osborne.
@Harry O’ Callaghan: I hate that argument. Makes no sense
How many club games are played during international calendar now?
And how many of those games do Leinster struggle in?
Leinster B more than cable of winning games again most other side while they are also short internationals.
Barrett was not brought in for squad depth during the international window. He was brought in to be a started in the biggest games, most likely at the expense of an Irish international. Might finally get Leinster over the line in Europe, but at least be honest about it
ACL done
@Niall English: Hardly, otherwise he wouldn’t have said, “has been ruled out this week with a knee injury”. Instead, he would most likely have said for the rest of the Autumn games.
@Con Cussed: this game is the last one of their tour so he is out for the rest of autumn games.
Between the KIWI’s and the SA’s players in the Leinster squad they’ll be sponges for the system and set up of the Irish side which is basically Leinster….. This raises an argument for allowing Irish top pros to travel abroad and still have the chance to be picked for the international team.., just as we done for Sexton, that 2 years in Paris really broadened his overall skill set and was to Ireland’s benefit. By leaving players move we also make more room for our academy to progress in the URC and strengthen Irish rugby in general. Just a thought..?