Super Rugby: 'It's obviously my preferred position', Otere Black injury opens door for Beauden Barrett
A worrying neck injury to Otere Black which required a hospital visit for scans left a further sour taste for the Blues as they departed Wellingtons Sky Stadium. Coach Leon MacDonald described the injury as pretty bad on Saturday night, after his starting first five-eighth left the field in the second half of their 29-27 loss to the Hurricanes. While there is concern for Black who managed to get to his feet, it means the likely return of star Beauden Barrett to his favoured No 10 jersey when they host the Chiefs next Sunday after successive defeats. The bonus point from the narrow loss saw the Blues retain second place on the Super Rugby Aotearoa ladder ahead of the Hurricanes, and five points behind the Crusaders who had the bye this weekend. READ MORE: * Oh, brother: Jordie Barrett boots Hurricanes to memorable victory over Blues * Jordie Barrett gets the last laugh over Beauden in brotherly battle * NZ rugby risks isolation in bold go-it-alone approach MacDonald said of Black: Hes had to shoot off to hospital to get a scan on his neck. Its pretty bad. He wanted to play on. He thinks hes 110kg and bulletproof. Its a pretty sore neck, he cant turn it. The sensible thing was we subbed him and obviously weve got a decent first-five who came on and did a job for us. Cue Barrett, who watched his younger brother Jordie kick the winning conversion from the sideline and was constantly booed by his former adoring Wellington crowd on return to the Cake Tin. He and coach MacDonald also had to grin and endure Hurricanes whooping and singing, clearly audible through the dressing room wall as they gave their press conference. Can you tell them to be quiet, MacDonald quipped. Barrett had a rollercoaster night, from being scorched by his former five-eighths partner Ngani Laumape in his wonderful 45m try, and later steamrolled when trying to tackle the same opponent near the line. In between, Barrett showed his class when first receiver from a ruck, zipping between Hurricanes TJ Perenara and Tyrel Lomax for a trademark try near the posts in the ninth minute. Barretts form after a lengthy rugby layoff stretching back to the Rugby World Cup, and whether hes better value for the Blues at No 10, occupied plenty of debate last week. The man himself, seated beside his coach, certainly made his thoughts clear. I enjoyed that role and its obviously my preferred position. Ive been training there for the second half of trainings in case Otey got injured Id be ready for that. Im just happy to be playing where I can get ball in hand, thats where I feel that I have more influence. MacDonald wasnt buying into any controversy over the Asafo Aumua try, when the replacement hooker plunged over in the 76th minute in a sea of bodies to level the scores. There was no clear video evidence of the ball being grounded, but also none of any Blues hands under the ball, so referee Ben OKeeffes initial hunch was not overruled by television match official James Doleman. From where I was sitting about 250m away I couldnt see the ball grounded. The ref was there, he saw the ball grounded and it was a try. MacDonald wouldnt comment further. Of his side, who won their first three before stumbling to the Crusaders and Hurricanes, MacDonald rued a poor start and some defensive lapses. Its a tough old comp and fine margins. We lost by a conversion and we could have snuck it at the end. We learned the importance of the mental side, rebounding from a torrid loss to the Crusaders. We didnt look quite there and didnt dominate the collisions like we have done. The Blues were without influential No 8 Hoskins Sotutu (knee) and livewire wing Caleb Clarke, who attended his grandfathers tangi. Both will likely return for the Chiefs. He [Sotutu] is keen to go and well see how he fronts.