Beauden Barrett headlines several significant losses for All Blacks ahead of Wallabies rematch

Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 4:30 AM
AFP
by AFP

Veteran New Zealand fly-half Beauden Barrett was on Sunday ruled out of next weekend's rematch against Australia, who will be boosted by the return of power forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini.

Barrett left the field in the first half of the 33-24 victory on Saturday in Auckland that saw New Zealand retain the Bledisloe Cup and stay in contention for the Rugby Championship with one round to go.

Watch the Wallabies tackle the All Blacks live and on-demand via Stan Sport.

The 141-Test veteran suffered a shoulder injury which not only rules him out of Saturday's Test in Perth, but also casts doubt over his availability for New Zealand's northern hemisphere tour next month.

Assistant coach Jason Ryan said Damian McKenzie would likely start in Perth after replacing Barrett off the bench at Eden Park.

Prop Ethan de Groot will also miss the Test after failing a head injury assessment, while wing Caleb Clarke (ankle) and lock Tupou Vaa'i (knee) are doubts.

"We've got a few bodies we need to look after," Ryan said on Sunday.

"And it's an opportunity to look at everyone in our squad too, potentially.

"We've got to go up a notch because what we're learning in second Tests is that everyone gets better."

Caleb Clarke has been injured and will miss out on part of the Rugby Championship. Source: Getty

Giant lock Skelton and dynamic back-row forward Valetini will boost the physicality of the Wallabies pack after both missed the Auckland clash.

Skelton has been in France to fulfil commitments with his La Rochelle club, while Valetini has overcome a calf injury.

Retired scrum-half Nic White will join up with the Wallabies squad in Perth to "help them prepare", said Rugby Australia, but could now be in line to play after Tate McDermott limped off with a hamstring injury at Eden Park.

Uncertainty surrounds the fitness of Jake Gordon, who hasn't played for more than two months, while the squad's other scrum-half is Ryan Lonergan, who made his debut off the bench in Auckland.

If White takes the field, it will be the second time he has come out of retirement to help the Wallabies in two months.

The 35-year-old had originally announced the third Lions Test would be his last, only to return immediately for Australia's Tests in South Africa because of injuries.

After starting four successive Rugby Championship Tests, White retired again following this month's defeat to Argentina in Sydney.

Share
Explainer: The ten end-of-year matches set to shape the Wallabies’ 2027 World Cup fate
'Rare talent': Former Wallabies playmaker Barnes' special praise for Australia U18s stars
The Wallabies are preparing to meet a fast-paced, high-risk Brave Blossoms this weekend in  Tokyo, and are expecting a few familiar faces in the Japanese outfit. Photo: Julius Dimataga/Wallabies Media
Australian flavour: Wallabies staying clear of ‘individual focus’ despite heavy home contingent in Brave Blossoms
Legendary English playmaker Emily Scarratt retires on top after helping the Red Roses to the World Cup title. Photo: Getty Images
England women's great Scarratt retires from rugby