In the lead-up to the highly anticipated World Cup opener against France, New Zealand’s star midfielder, Jordie Barrett, finds himself in a precarious situation due to persistent knee soreness. Barrett, who has been a standout performer in the inside centre position this season after transitioning from a forward role, has encountered difficulties in training this week, raising concerns about his availability for the critical clash at Stade de France.
All Blacks assistant coach, Scott McLeod, provided insight into Barrett’s condition, stating, “He’s had the night off and the day off today. We’ll have to see how he wakes up tomorrow. He’ll have an assessment before training to see where he’s at, and we’ll go from there.”
The New Zealand team, three-time world champions, faced a significant setback recently with their worst-ever test defeat, a resounding 35-7 loss to South Africa at Twickenham. Prior to this defeat, they had emerged victorious in all four previous tests in 2023.
McLeod emphasized that the players have responded with heightened focus and determination following the disappointing loss to the Springboks. He noted, “Their ears have been open a lot more, they’ve searched a lot deeper in terms of their execution and understanding of what they have to do, and they want to build to a level they want to play at. The legacy of the jersey means a great deal to the players, and they don’t want to let that down.”
Reflecting on the typical mindset of All Blacks teams after a loss, McLeod added, “From my knowledge of All Blacks teams, when they lose, they hurt a lot. They don’t like losing and want to rectify it. That will be our motivation first and foremost, that’s what we’ve been building towards, and France just adds to that motivation in terms of being the host nation, and one of our great opponents.”
As New Zealand fans eagerly await the outcome of Jordie Barrett’s fitness assessment, the All Blacks remain resolute in their determination to bounce back from their recent defeat and set the stage for a captivating World Cup campaign.
