New Zealand midfielder Jordie Barrett is unsure for the World Cup opener in opposition to France whereas battling knee soreness.
Barrett, who has proved a revelation at inside centre this season after shifting ahead, had not skilled this week within the lead as much as Friday’s recreation at Stade de France, All Blacks assistant coach Scott Mcleod mentioned.
“He’s had the night off and the day off today,” Mcleod informed New Zealand media from coaching in Lyon.
“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 three-times world champions suffered their worst ever take a look at defeat with the current 35-7 drubbing by South Africa at Twickenham, having received all 4 earlier checks in 2023.
Mcleod mentioned the gamers have been extra switched on at camp after the Springboks setback.
”Their ears have been open much more, they’ve searched rather a lot deeper by way of their execution and understanding of what they should do, and so they need to construct to a stage they need to play at,” he mentioned.
“The legacy of the jersey means a great deal to the players, and they don’t want to let that down.
”From my information of All Blacks groups, once they lose, they harm rather a lot,” he added.
“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.”
Reuters
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk