All Blacks coach happy to see Barrett escape RWC ban: 'Great result, we had a fair hearing'

All Blacks coach Ian Foster said it was a "great result" that Scott Barrett avoided a Rugby World Cup ban after being sent off against South Africa.

Barrett, 29, was dismissed in the 35-7 defeat at Twickenham on Friday for a second yellow card.

But an independent judicial committee found his sending off was sufficient sanction.

It means the lock forward is free to face France in the World Cup curtain-raiser at the Stade de France in Paris on 8 September.

"It was a two-yellow [red] card. It was a technical red. We had a fair hearing, like we always feel we do, and we came out with a great result," a relieved Foster told New Zealand broadcaster TVNZ after training in Germany late on Tuesday.

"Scott is pretty important for us."

With first-choice lock Brodie Retallick sidelined by a knee injury, Barrett is set to partner Sam Whitelock in New Zealand's second row against France.

"You always hold your breath, but [the hearing] was nice, and particularly for Scott. He felt bad about the whole situation.

"It's not easy being red-carded and seeing the team concede three lineout maul tries in the second half in an area he takes a lot of pride in."

The All Blacks coach said prop Tyrel Lomax, who needed 30 stitches for a deep leg wound he suffered against South Africa, was unlikely to be fit for the France match.

Rookie Fletcher Newell, 23, is in line to start in place of Lomax.