Scott Barrett to miss final
Scott Barrett will still be trying to adjust to the time zone in Chicago when Canterbury meet Tasman in Christchurch on Saturday night.
Lock Barrett has been confirmed as a no-show for the Mitre 10 premiership final because the All Blacks’ management want him to be with the rest of the squad members when they fly to the United States on Friday evening.
You could say that is great news for Barrett, who was called into the national setup when Sam Whitelock suffered an ankle injury in the 37-10 win over the Wallabies in Auckland last weekend.
It isn’t quite so flash for Canterbury, but as far as coach Scott Robertson is concerned there’s no point bleating about it.
This is case closed: he can’t do anything about the enforced withdrawal of the workaholic second rower, so he just has to make alterations to the side that beat Counties-Manukau in the semi last weekend.
In the absence of Barrett, big Aussie David McDuling is expected to be promoted to join Dominic Bird in the second row.
With some flexibility around travel plans Barrett could have still played at AMI Stadium and later jetted to the US, but Robertson said that was probably cutting things too fine.
Because Brodie Retallick suffered a head knock against the Aussies, and a decision on whether he joins the squad will be made after he has undergone concussion protocols later this week, the All Blacks don’t want to put themselves in a situation where they could run short of second rowers. That means Barrett must travel immediately.
There is a chance the All Blacks could list Barrett on the bench as backup for Patrick Tuipulotu and Luke Romano for the test against Ireland at Soldier Field in Chicago on November 6 (NZT). Wellington’s Vaea Fifita is on standby in case Retallick is unable to travel.
‘‘They need three fit locks on tour and this is a great opportunity for Scott and we wish him all the best. We hope he takes this opportunity because he deserves it,’’ Robertson said.
‘‘The All Blacks take pre- cedence. There is potential for him to play a test match and he needs time to prepare for that. And I understand the situation. It is just the way it is.’’
Scott’s younger brother, Jordie, has been allowed to remain with Canterbury until after the final.
He will later join the All Blacks squad as an apprentice, something Ardie Savea did in 2013.
At least Robertson has almost a full week to get his head around the fact he will be without Scott Barrett. There will be no need to shuffle his lineup at the last moment, and McDuling has plenty of time to accept what is required from him in a starter’s number.
Robertson will be wired to end his four-season coaching tenure as head coach of Canterbury with his third national title, before he takes over the Crusaders job.
The return of experienced midfielder Rob Thompson, who injured his knee against Otago last month, also offers more depth in the backline.
Canterbury belted Tasman 45-14 when the sides met in Christchurch earlier in the season. Even with Barrett unavailable, the argument that the home side should defend their title has merit.
Robertson, who is in the unique situation of trying to foil counterpart Leon MacDonald, the man he recruited to assist him at the Crusaders next year, doesn’t see it that way.
‘‘The teams have changed and it took us a long time to crack them in that game,’’ Robertson reflected. ‘‘This is finals, it is different.’’