The All Blacks must do without Scott Barrett and brother Jordie for the Test against Scotland as they seek to build on their Grand Slam momentum provided by their win over Ireland.
There will be little surprise that captain Scott (cut leg) and vice-captain Jordie (knee and ankle sprains) have been ruled out, and Jordie, who is still waiting on medical opinions on scans, will almost certainly be a longer-term absentee.
The pair, early casualties in the All Blacks’ 26-13 victory over Ireland in Chicago, will leave a huge leadership hole in the squad as Scott Robertson’s men consider the threat of Scotland, who have never beaten the All Blacks, ahead of the Tests against England at Twickenham and Wales in Cardiff.
However, the form of locks Fabian Holland and Josh Lord, the latter a replacement for Scott Barrett at Soldier Field, plus the cohesion between midfielders Quinn Tupaea and Leicester Fainga’anuku will be comforting for the selectors.
Blues lock Josh Beehre has been called in from the All Blacks XV, currently on tour in England, as a training back-up, Robertson confirmed this morning.
Tupaea, a standout in his last two starts in Perth and Chicago and a good chance to replace Jordie at second-five at Murrayfield on Sunday morning NZT, said of the Barretts: “Obviously we’re gutted about their injuries. They’re a massive part of this side – captain and vice – and key players in key roles.
“It’s disappointing but we’ve got a strong squad and guys ready to step into those roles.”
With Fainga’anuku finally getting a chance at centre, and shining, and the attack performing with cohesion in the final quarter against Ireland, the selectors are unlikely to change too much this week, although, with a stern challenge against England to follow, it will be a balancing act. Robertson will name his team at 9pm on Thursday NZT.
Holland and Lord will likely start in the second row, with Sam Darry on the bench as lock cover. It is probable that Anton Lienert-Brown or Rieko Ioane will provide midfield cover.
Robertson said: “You pick a team fully respectful to beat Scotland. They’re a quality team and we understand that. We know their strengths and they know ours but we’ll pick the strongest team we think for a physical Test match.”
Scotland, ranked eighth in the world, possess a quality No.10 and second-five in Finn Russell and Sione Tuipulotu respectively, and in Duhan van der Merwe have one of the best finishers in the game. Their pack is not as strong, however.
“Obviously they’ve got a handy backline haven’t they [and] a couple good jacklers on the ball, a couple of good operators in the lineout,” Robertson said. “[They have a] good balance in the squad… [their players] also playing in the premiership and are highly experienced with high cohesion and are really motivated.. so a big weekend.
“This year we’ve learnt about consistency and repeating things – and not just repeating things but getting better – and that’s been our focus, especially this weekend and it looks after itself or there is no Slam at all.”
The All Blacks’ victory over Ireland, their third in succession, has kept their dream of a fifth Grand Slam alive.
The alternative would have been hugely deflating for a side that has already lost twice this year and still appears to be searching for its identity. But, while Ireland clearly faded late in the game, there are promising signs for Robertson’s men in terms of their increasing scrum dominance and contributions from all eight bench players.
Tupaea said: “There haven’t been too many opportunities for this Grand Slam and you can’t have a Grand Slam if you don’t win the first one. So we’re stoked to get the first win and runs on the board and take this momentum into Murrayfield this weekend.”
Robertson, asked about the All Blacks’ unbeaten record against Scotland over 120 years and 32 Tests (there have been two draws – in 1964 and 1983), said: “We’re well aware of it and proud of it, and the occasion – how big it is this weekend. We’ve canvassed with the boys to make sure we’re all aware.”
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