Jordie Barrett ruled out of second Bledisloe Cup test against Wallabies
A tight calf has forced the All Blacks midfielder out of Saturday’s test in Sydney. Timoci Tavatavanawai starts at second five-eighth and Chay Fihaki joins the bench.
Jordie Barrett has been ruled out of the All Blacks’ second Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Sydney on 17 October because of a tight calf, leaving Timoci Tavatavanawai to start at second five-eighth. The late change removes a key midfielder from New Zealand’s side before the scheduled match at Accor Stadium.
Why Jordie Barrett will miss the Sydney test
The All Blacks said Barrett felt tightness during the first test in Auckland and that it had not settled sufficiently during the week for him to play, according to the Otago Daily Times. 1News reported that he also missed training the day before the Sydney match. The reports describe a withdrawal before kickoff; they give no return date for Barrett.
Barrett had been due to partner Quinn Tupaea in midfield for what 1News said would have been his 87th test. He was named man of the match in New Zealand’s 50–19 win over Australia at Eden Park the previous week, according to 1News. The All Blacks had already announced three starting changes for the second test; Barrett’s withdrawal is a subsequent alteration to that lineup.
Tavatavanawai starts; Fihaki joins the bench
Tavatavanawai, a Highlanders midfielder, moves from the bench into the No 12 jersey alongside Tupaea. 1News said this would be his third test appearance. The NZ Herald said his only previous start for the All Blacks this season came in a midweek match against the Lions, distinguishing that outing from a test start.
Chay Fihaki takes Tavatavanawai’s place among the reserves and could make his test debut. The named All Blacks backline also includes Cam Roigard at scrum-half, Damian McKenzie at fly-half, Josh Moorby and Will Jordan on the wings, and Beauden Barrett at full-back. Codie Taylor captains the side.
Kickoff time for All Blacks v Wallabies
The test is scheduled to start at 4pm in Sydney, or 6pm New Zealand time, 1News reported. Australia’s named side has Declan Meredith at fly-half, Isaac Henry alongside Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in midfield, and Harry Wilson as captain. The changes to New Zealand’s midfield will therefore be tested against a Wallabies pairing already named for the match.
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Sources and context
- All Blacks hit by major injury blow for Bledisloe 2NZ Herald (NZME)
- Jordie Barrett ruled out of Wallabies test due to injury1News
- Tavatavanawai gets start against Wallabies after Barrett ruled outOtago Daily Times (Allied Media)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.