Scott Barrett's Achilles Injury Casts Doubt on Second Test Participation

All Blacks captain Scott Barrett is expected to miss the second test against France in Wellington after sustaining an Achilles injury during the first test in Dunedin. Coach Scott Robertson hinted at an official announcement regarding Barrett's availability on Tuesday, which has raised concerns about the lock's potential long-term absence.

Barrett was forced to leave the field midway through the second half of the All Blacks' 31-27 victory over France. His injury has left the team with a significant leadership void, as he is a key figure in both defense and attack.

Robertson, when questioned about Barrett's status ahead of the second test, emphasized the need to wait for an official statement before making any comments. This approach is unusual for the All Blacks, as such statements are typically reserved for players who are ruled out for an extended period.

If Barrett does miss the second test, Patrick Tuipulotu is expected to return to the starting XV and partner rookie Fabian Holland at lock. Star loose forward Ardie Savea would likely step into the captain's role in his hometown, adding another layer of complexity to the team's strategy.

Right winger Sevu Reece has already been ruled out with a concussion after an incident in the first 47 seconds of the first test. This has forced Robertson to consider further changes to his starting lineup, particularly in the wing positions.

The first test was unexpectedly close, given France's absence of several key players and the All Blacks' near-full-strength squad. However, the narrow escape may prompt Robertson to reconsider his plan to rotate the squad throughout the three-test series.

Robertson, in his second year as coach, has maintained his stance on rotating players but has acknowledged the importance of securing a win in Wellington. The All Blacks have only won once at Sky Stadium since 2018, and improving their record there is a priority.

Fullback Will Jordan was a standout performer in the first test, scoring two tries and making a seamless transition to the right wing after Reece's injury. Jordan is now on track to break Doug Howlett's all-time try record for the All Blacks, potentially as early as this year.

Jordan's finishing ability has made him a strong contender for the No. 14 jersey, especially with the team short on specialist wingers. This could open the door for Hurricanes standout Ruben Love to make his second test appearance. Love, who scored two tries off the bench against Japan last year, is a popular choice for the match-day 23.

The All Blacks scored four tries against France in the first test but had three more disallowed by the TMO, two due to handling errors. Robertson has identified finishing chances as a key area for improvement, particularly in the challenging conditions expected in Wellington.

Heavy rain and fresh northerlies are forecast for Saturday night, which could impact the team's performance. Robertson emphasized the need to adapt to the conditions while maintaining the same mindset of backing themselves in crucial moments.

"You break 20 tackles, you make 13 line breaks, that’s probably a reflection of what we created," Robertson said. "The conditions this week might be a little bit different but you expect everything here [in Wellington] so we’ll just adapt to that but still have the same mindset around backing yourself."