Scott Barrett ruled out of New Zealand's deciding Test against Ireland - Report

Scott Barrett is reported to miss the final and deciding Test of New Zealand against Ireland to be played in Wellington on Saturday.

According to a report in New Zealand Herald, Barrett has not recovered sufficiently from an Achilles injury that he sustained following the second game in Dunedin.

The Crusaders captain was named at blindside flank by Ian Foster on Thursday but the report further added that he might have aggravated his injury since then which could possibly rule him out of the upcoming encounter.

The 28-year-old started at second row in the previous game in the absence of Sam Whitelock, who now has returned back after overcoming a concussion scare.

Loose forward Akira Ioane is set to take Barrett's position in the starting line up if the latter is ruled out while Tupou Vaa’i, who had recovered from Covid is in line to join the replacements.

Earlier, New Zealand dropped to their lowest ever World Rugby Ranking to fourth place following their defeat in the second Test with Andy Farrell's men rewarded with a rise to the second position.

It was also Ireland's fourth win over the All Blacks in the last seven meetings between them having registered their first win over New Zealand in 2016 during the Chicago encounter.