The Blues are sweating over the fitness of All Blacks fly-half Beauden Barrett as he is battling illness and is doubtful for their Super Rugby Pacific opener against the Highlanders in Dunedin on February 25.
Several All Blacks returned to duty for the Blues ahead of their second pre-season match against the Chiefs at Pukekohe on Friday, but Barrett was a notable absentee.
Struggling will illness all week
Blues assistant coach Paul Tito confirmed the playmaker was down with illness throughout the week and not considered for selection for the Chiefs clash.
Apart from Barrett, experienced utility forward Tom Robinson and Sam Darry have also been omitted from the Blues’ 42-man squad for that encounter.
Click Here: Real Madrid Jersey Sale
“There’s a bit of illness going around. It’s on an individual basis,” he told Stuff. “They want to be playing, but currently, they’re unavailable, so they won’t play against the Chiefs,” Tito told Stuff.
“Beauden has been ill all week.”
When asked if Barrett, a veteran of 112 All Blacks Tests, could be considered for selection for the Blues’ Super Rugby Pacific opener without having played a pre-season match, Tito said: “We need our best players on the park, and he’s certainly one of those.
“We all know he’s a pretty mature player, and he’s been around and seen a bit. He knows his body better than most, and they’ll make the right calls for what he needs. It is a big year for everyone, and I’m sure we’ll manage him well.”
The rest of the Blues’ All Blacks contingent will be in action against the Chiefs, and Tito said it was important for the team to build on last weekend’s first pre-season clash against the Hurricanes in west Auckland, which they won 28-21.
Expects tough battle against the Chiefs
“It’s going to be physical,” he said. “They’re pretty good at the breakdown and contact area. That is an area we need to be squeaky in and make sure we’re securing our ball and being aggressive at the breakdown.
“They’re renowned for that – it’s what they live and die by. We need to be strong in this space to launch into the Highlanders. Our set piece has to be efficient and provide these backs with the quality ball they need.”