Hansen: Barrett’s genuine mistake
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says Jordie Barrett will not be reprimanded, but being out at 5am in Dunedin the week before a rugby test was ‘‘not a good professional choice’’.
Hansen assembled his squad in Auckland yesterday for Saturday’s first test against France at Eden Park as news broke of separate off-field incidents involving Barrett and Rieko Ioane.
Barrett apologised in a brief media conference at Wellington Airport yesterday morning after police were called to a Dunedin flat at 5am on Saturday following the Hurricanes’ loss to the Highlanders.
Barrett, 21, and a Dunedinbased friend entered a flat which was unlocked in an apparent case of mistaken house identity, which saw the two female occupants call the police.
Hansen told Newstalk ZB he spoke on Saturday to Barrett who was upset at the mistake he had made, after following the friend who believed he was entering the house of another friend after a takeaway visit to McDonald’s. Barrett said he was not intoxicated at the time.
‘‘I think everyone would agree it’s just a genuine mistake and one that could be made by any young person,’’ Hansen said.
‘‘The other mistake he’s made is he hasn’t been really professional in the preparation of this test match and we’ll have a chat about that and hopefully he’ll learn from both of those things.’’
A former policeman, Hansen said the flat’s occupants had received a fright and did the right thing.
Ioane reported for All Blacks duty with a cut above one eye after what was described as ‘‘antics’’ with a Blues team-mate after their loss to the Rebels on Saturday.
Blues chief executive Michael Redman said the franchise will check on the incident this week to determine if there were any breaches of team protocol.
‘‘Antics at a private gettogether after the game last night has led to Rieko Ioane being treated for a small cut above his eye,’’ the Blues said.
‘‘Some hijinks between Ioane and another player at the small gathering at a private residence, resulted in the Blues winger receiving a knock above his eye which was treated with medical glue at a local A&E clinic.’’
Ioane said: ‘‘We were just poking fun at each other. It’s not serious and I’ve apologised to my teammates and the club.’’