Barrett key to ABs' options

WORRY: Beauden Barrett has been looking uncomfortable with his right knee.PHOTO/FILE

THE ALL Blacks are satisfied Daniel Carter is on track to lead their World Cup campaign and are now examining his back-up five-eighths.

Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga are the men in that tussle, and have all travelled in a 31-man squad to play the Springboks at an Ellis Park venue where the All Blacks last felt defeat.

Who gets to start and will they all squeeze into an All Black side intent on maintaining a seven-match winning sequence while they continue to turn over all the talent in their squad?

On their last visit to Johannesburg, Barrett started with Slade on the bench as the All Blacks trailed for most of the match, before losing 27-25. Slade was used from the bench against Samoa and the Pumas, and may have to sit out this match.

Sopoaga played throughout the Highlanders' victorious Super 15 campaign, where his general play and goal-kicking rose a notch, but his promotion to start this weekend looks unlikely.

He is more likely to be brought through all the build-ups this week and then given a chance from the bench.

Everything may hinge on Barrett's fitness.

There was no mention of any problem before the squad flew to South Africa but, a fortnight ago, Barrett looked uncomfortable with his right knee in the Super 15 final. His leg was strapped heavily and he did not look fully confident about kicking and stretching out.

With Carter underdone for the tour to Europe last year, Barrett and the now injured Aaron Cruden duelled for the top five-eighths role.

The crunch came against Wales in Cardiff, when Barrett won the job and played a significant role in the 34-16 victory, where he scored a couple of tries and kicked a conversion and penalty.

Barrett was in strong form during the Super 15 and his guidance was one of the reasons behind the Hurricanes' consistent results, until he damaged his knee against the Crusaders.

Scans showed a grade two medial ligament tear.

When he returned for the final pool game against the Highlanders, Barrett looked cautious and did not do any goal-kicking. When he did against the Brumbies in the semifinal, he struggled and he still looked hesitant in the final. The bulk of the Hurricanes and Highlanders were overlooked for the All Blacks' opening tests against Samoa and Argentina, with the now injured Waisake Naholo, Ma'a Nonu and Jeremy Thrush the only finalists who were used.

Ben and Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Julian Savea, Barrett and Aaron Smith in the backs and Dane Coles, Ben Franks, Victor Vito and James Broadhurst in the forwards are the others who have not had any test rugby yet this season.NZME