Rugby-Auckland Blues confirm Barrett sidelined with fractured hand

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - New Zealand Training - Omnisport Croissy Stadium, Croissy-sur-Seine, Paris, France - October 19, 2023 New Zealand's Beauden Barrett during training REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo

(Reuters) - The Auckland Blues have confirmed flyhalf Beauden Barrett will be sidelined for an undefined period after suffering a fractured hand in his team's 21-20 Super Rugby Pacific loss against the ACT Brumbies on Friday.

All Black Barrett was forced off during the first half at Eden Park with the injury having helped his team take the lead, and in the 33-year-old's absence the Australian side fought back to secure their first win in Auckland since 2013.