Stick ABs’ big stars in cotton wool

“Fingers crossed” one headline reckoned, over the health of All Blacks ace Beauden Barrett.

Why bother with the fingercrossing hocus pocus? There is something practical which can preserve Barrett for the Lions series — keep him on the sidelines.

The Hurricanes would also be bonkers to risk tearaway test loosie Ardie Savea, who, like Barrett, must pass concussion tests.

I can't believe the Hurricanes were/are considering playing Barrett against the under-threat, nonthreatening Force in Perth this weekend, or that New Zealand Rugby would even let them. Surely All Blacks mentor Steve Hansen has given Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd some friendly advice on this score.

Why take any risk with Barrett, who will tear the Lions apart if given half a chance?

Okay, the doctors couldn't differentiate whether Barrett was suffering concussion-related headaches, or normal rugby headaches. Why increase the risk? The Lions series is everything for now whereas Super Rugby has been turned into a trinket.

Further, the smart move would be to protect other key All Blacks before they line up in the first test against the Lions on June 24. In other words, yank them out of Super Rugby and the Lions warm-up games.

Super Rugby is a joke as it stands, and certainly not worth risking the men who will make all the difference against the British and Irish and New Zealand (sorry self-proclaimed Irishman Jared Payne) Lions.

With Dane Coles in concussion limbo-land, the improving Codie Taylor is vital at hooker. Take Coles and Taylor out of the equation, and you might be left with Nathan Harris, who is so injury-prone he could rip a hamstring while mowing the lawn. Actually, he could probably rip a hamstring just thinking about the lawn mower.

Halfbacks Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara are essential to how the All Blacks play. Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock may be the finest lock pairing in rugby history. The Lions will only have a chance against the All Blacks' scrum if Owen Franks isn't there. There are other great outside back possibilities, but none in the Ben Smith class and he's already had a concussion issue this year.

Hardly a week goes by when an All Black doesn’t come under the increasingly concerning concussion cloud and other injury possibilities. Play the percentages, men.