For their second summer tour match against the XV of France, the All Blacks will be deprived of Sevu Reece, but also most likely of their captain Scott Barrett.
The All Blacks certainly won (31-27) the first game of the summer tour against France on Saturday in Dunedin, but this first meeting left some traces. On the French side, only Tom Spring, released touched, is uncertain, while the five finalist players of the Top 14 (Barassi, Bochaton, Brennan, Depoortère and Vergnes-Taillefer), as well as Léo Barré, back from injury, apply to a place for the second match. On the other hand, on the New Zealand side, Sevu Reece is already forfeited while Captain Scott Barrett is very uncertain.
The 28 -year -old winger was the victim of a concussion following a veneer by Joris Segonds after less than a minute of play, and will not be able to honor his 34th selection in the second match, Saturday in Wellington. To replace him, the coach Scott Robertson has not yet decided: it will be Caleb Clarke (26, 29 selections), who was not on the match sheet in Dunedin, or Will Jordan (27, 42 selections), who had started back on Saturday and would therefore slip to the wing, as he did when Reece was injured and was replaced by the back Damian McKenzie.
Decision Tuesday for S. Barrett
Scott Barrett, the second line at 81 selections, suffers from an Achilles tendon injury. He was released in the 57th minute on Saturday, replaced by Samipeni Finau, and was laid at the time of taking the plane on Sunday towards Wellington, located on the northern island (while Dunedin is on the South Island).
“He has passed a medical examination and we will soon give his news”said Scott Robertson at a press conference on Monday. A decision will be made Tuesday about him. Patrick Tuipulotu would leave favorite to replace him in n ° 4 according to the New Zealand press, while Ardie Savea or Jordie Barrett would relay him as captain. Team compositions will be unveiled on Thursday.
