2023-09-05 00:43:58
Three-quarters of the All Blacks Jordie Barrett is doubtful for the opening match of the World Cup on Friday against the XV of France, said Monday the coach of the New Zealand defense Scott McLeod. “He has a glitch in his left knee. We preferred to preserve it. It’s just a small wound. We just don’t want to take any risks, ”said McLeod, when asked about the absence of Barrett (26, 52 caps).
“We will wait to see how he reacts to the treatments. He will receive other care tomorrow (Tuesday, editor’s note). We prefer to be careful, that’s all. We are only at the start of the week, ”added Ian Foster’s assistant. Barrett started in the center during the last warm-up match, marked by a masterful defeat against South Africa (35-7).
If he was absent, Anton Lienert-Brown or David Havili could replace him alongside Rieko Ioane. Second row Brodie Retallick (knee), third row Shannon Frizell (tendon) and prop Tyrel Lomax (leg) have already withdrawn from the game against the Blues.
The All Blacks, three times world champions, open the World Cup with a shock against Antoine Dupont’s France.
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