Beauden Barrett: Blues lose All Black fly-half after another head knock in win over Highlanders

Saturday’s’ Super Rugby Pacific win over the Highlanders in Dunedin proved costly for the Blues as they lost star playmaker Beauden Barrett due to a head knock.

There were concerns in Blues ranks early in the second half after the New Zealand fly-half came off second best in a collision with Highlanders outside centre Fetuli Paea, who ran into him at pace.

The All Black centurion stayed down and received medical attention but was eventually forced off the field with blood streaming from his nose.

Up to that point, Barrett had been in fine form in the win over the Highlanders as he contributed 13 points in their 32-25 triumph courtesy of a well-taken try, a conversion and two penalties.

He went for a head injury assessment , which he failed, with his replacement, Stephen Perofeta, finishing the game as the Blues’ fly-half.

The 30-year-old’s latest setback will be a concern as he was kept on the sidelines during the initial phase of the season because of a head injury sustained in the All Blacks’ Test against Ireland in November.

He was set to make his first start of the season for the Blues in their Round Three encounter with the Chiefs in Albany earlier this month but was a late withdrawal after contracting Covid-19.

Despite his absence in Saturday’s game, the Blues did well to keep the Highlanders at bay during a frantic finish. Perofeta impressed as Barrett’s replacement and finished with a try and two conversions and their other points came via tries from Caleb Clarke and Hoskins Sotutu.

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