Beauden Barrett could sit out the Hurricanes’ first Super Rugby match, against the Bulls at Loftus next Saturday.
Canes coach Chris Boyd said the flyhalf would definitely not start, and may not even be included on the bench.
‘We might use it as one of his All Blacks rest weeks yet, we haven’t decided on that.’
Barrett missed the Hurricanes’ final pre-season match, against the Blues on Thursday, due to a wedding.
He will join up with the squad en route to South Africa.
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