written by Ryland James
Wellington – All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett stated on Tuesday that he has recovered from a neck ailment and is ready to assist in Saturday’s second Test against Argentina.
Barrett was pulled out of Saturday’s shocking loss to Argentina in Christchurch due to a neck injury sustained in training, three weeks after landing on it during a mid-air collision against South Africa.
New Zealand have lost three consecutive home Tests for the first time in their history, and when they face Argentina in Hamilton, Barrett can strengthen their defense.
“I’m feeling fantastic. Barrett told reporters, “With a few more shoulder-to-shoulder tackles, I should be ready to go.”
The 106-Test veteran, who is 31 years old, acknowledged that two significant strikes to the neck within a few weeks were cause for concern.
“Everything adds up, it’s another blow. You attempt to handle everything separately, which may have had a compounding impact, he said.
“However, I’ve been feeling very good this week and have been focusing on rehabilitation.”
Barrett has been strengthening his neck in order to mitigate the effects of injuries.
“I’ve realized that I need a frontrower’s neck in order to withstand these blows,” he said, “so I’ve been exercising hard in the gym.”
In Christchurch, the Argentine flanker Emiliano Boffelli penalized the All Blacks for their lack of discipline by kicking six penalties.
Barrett stated that surrendering so many penalties was “not acceptable and we can’t let ourselves down; we need to clean it up.” Argentina’s 25-18 triumph was a historic first victory in New Zealand.
Since losing four of their first six matches this season, the All Blacks have fallen to their lowest world standing of fifth.
Barrett stated, “We’re frustrated, but we’re aware of what needs improvement.”
There has been considerable tension and determination within the camp.
In the wake of their most recent loss, New Zealand’s head coach, Ian Foster, stated that his team’s aggressive nature is difficult to contain.
Barrett stated that they must be more cunning with the boot.
“Other teams, like South Africa, play a low-risk game plan and then throw the ball up in the air, hoping to capitalize on such blunders,” he explained.
“When the pressure is on, we want to run the ball and keep possession; it’s what comes naturally to us.
“We’ve determined that we may need to kick the ball a bit more in games we’ve lost.
“It feels weird, but it’s simply a matter of being aware of it — looking to attack in a variety of ways — everyone on our feet, chasing kicks, getting those 50-50 bounces, and looking for turnovers that way.
“We are currently determining how we wish to play.”
AFP