Jordie out of Rugby Championship

All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster said at a media conference in Auckland that Barrett had scans on the shoulder he injured in the Super Rugby semifinal for the Hurricanes against the Lions and they revealed he would need an operation.

Barrett's place in the Rugby Championship squad has been taken by Crusaders fullback David Havili.

"If it is an operation that is going to knock him out for the rest of the year," said Foster on the All Blacks' website.

"While it's disappointing for him he's probably already had a big year and he's too young an athlete to play through something like this." 

Foster said he didn't have a lot of information about the injury and its origins but he said it was a clear-cut injury where ligament had come off and a 'basic reattachment' would be required.

"It's a chance for him [Barrett] to get that right and have a big pre-season and jump back into it next year.

"It's pretty frustrating for him, he's had an amazing six months.

"Clearly when he reflects on the year it has been a massive year for him. He's done magnificently well in the Hurricanes' environment and come in and had a couple of Test matches and started a pretty big one and has done himself proud," Foster added.

Foster had a lot of praise for Havili.

"He's a player who's really grown in the last few years and this year, whilst he's a utility, he stepped into that fullback role really well and we think he's done a great job of it and [we're] really interested in the skill set that he brings.

"He's a reasonably experienced footballer now and clearly he'll have some things to offer but like I said, he's played in a number of positions so he brings that to the table.

"But he's looked very settled at fullback and it's just nice to reward a player who's played his way in with good form, and that's really what he's done," Foster said.

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