Coach Steve Hansen has confirmed that Beauden Barrett has been hurried aboard the All Blacks flight to Argentina after Lima Sopoaga was forced to withdraw due to his partner going into labour.
Barrett was originally a part of a group of six senior players set to miss the first leg of the All Blacks' Rugby Championship tour to Buenos Aires, scheduled to reunite with the side a week later for the clash with the Springboks in Cape Town.
Hansen said the plan regarding Sopoaga had always been flexible taking into account his partner's situation.
Barrett, who has started every test this international season so far, would be fine with the increased demands, but they would be looking to find a period of rest for him in the near future, he said.
"He'll get through his workload no problem, it's was the travel we didn’t want to put him through," Hansen told media at Auckland International Airport.
"We might find a way of giving him a little break after the Australia game and bring him up to the Barbarians game late."
Sopoaga is "more than likely" expected to rejoin the team in South Africa.
Fullback Damian McKenzie will cover Barrett in the No 10 jersey, said Hansen, meaning David Havili would likely be in line to back-up at the fullback position.
"He's a confident young man, and he plays like that," said Hansen of Havili.
"He's a little overawed, as all new All Blacks are. It can be really overwhelming, so we've given him enough time to get through that phase.
"He's now starting to train well and looks comfortable in the environment so we're looking forward to taking the next step with him."
The All Blacks will kick-off against Argentina on Sunday October 1st at 11:40am (NZT).
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