Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett have been ruled out of New Zealand’s upcoming Autumn Nations Series clash against Ireland with concussion, in a significant double blow for Scott Robertson’s side.
Taylor was withdrawn in the opening six minutes at Twickenham on Saturday for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA), while Barrett was taken off 16 minutes from time after also suffering a knock to the head.
“Codie’s a world-class hooker, among the best two or three in the world, and in great form,” Robertson told New Zealand media on Sunday.
“Beauden was conducting the game pretty well, we thought, until the bang. They’ll be missed obviously, but they’ll be around giving their wisdom and preparing the rest of the players.”
The absences of Taylor and Barrett could open the door for Damian McKenzie to start at fly-half, while Asafo Aumua seems likely to fill the void at hooker.
And the New Zealand boss is confident that the pair can prove adequate replacements.
‘He’s loaded the gun’ – Barrett hits back at Marler for haka jibe
“He’s pretty laid back, D-Mac [McKenzie],” he said. “He’ll take whatever role is required. He’s had the keys for a period of time and he’s got them back in his hands now.
“Asafo, it was a great moment for him. He’d worked really hard to make sure that when he got an opportunity like that, he took it.”
Stream the 2024 Autumn Nations Series on TNT Sports and discovery+
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source link
