Barrett Boost For All Blacks But Concern For Sam Whitelock

Ahead of their second test against the Wallabies, All Blacks head coach could have both Beauden and Scott Barrett at his disposal following their 16 all draw last weekend. 

Beauden Barrett has been given until Friday to prove his fitness after an Achilles tendon injury saw him miss the opening test of 2020. 

Meanwhile, his younger brother Scott Barrett is available for selection and having followed his rehabilitation to the letter he was ready at his intended return-to-play date. There was a chance he may play a game for Taranaki before being considered for the black jersey.

All Blacks head coach Ian Foster may, however, turn to Barrett despite him having not played a game since March with experienced lock Whitelock suffering from headaches in the aftermath of the Test and has been going through concussion protocols and didn't train on Wednesday.

Assistant coach John Plumtree said while there was hurt associated with not being able to win the first Test, it was important the All Blacks got back on their plan and worked towards achieving that.

"Right now the key to it is get our focus right, we get our plan right, and we build slowly like any other big Test week," he said.

"The boys have been pretty hard on themselves around that. The reason for that is that they've got their standards that they want to bring to any big contest and if those standards aren't reached, then you're going to get a reaction like that."