Barrett still has ABs rest weeks to come

Beauden Barrett still has two All Blacks rest weeks to sit out.

While it was initially thought his week one absence was one of his two scheduled weeks off, the first-five clarified yesterday it was part of an extended leave of absence in his contract.

‘‘Three years ago when my agent was negotiating my contract, we negotiated extended leave – I didn’t know I was going to get married at the time.

‘‘It was fitting that it’s a big year, obviously with the World Cup at the latter part of the season, but at the moment I’m focused on, and really excited about, returning for the Canes.’’

He went on to confirm it was separate from his two All Blacks weeks off, but said even those were up in the air.

‘‘All that sort of playing, not playing stuff is negotiable, so we’ll go through that at the right time.’’ Barrett spent his extended time off getting married to wife, Hannah, and honeymooning for 21⁄2 weeks in Dubai, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, returning on Monday to training. That might irk a few people, but, as Barrett stated, he had the extended leave, so even if he didn’t get married, he would likely still have been somewhere other than the Hurricanes’ base in Wellington.

It was similar to what Crusaders players Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read and Codie Taylor have done. Barrett is not expected to play against the Crusaders on Saturday, given he would only have had five days of full training ahead of a high-pressure derby match.

He did not rule out playing, saying it would be a decision left to coach John Plumtree.