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Fullback is the focal pressure point as the All Blacks disband with rotation to recall their test incumbents for the Springboks. And there appears a high probability that Beauden Barrett could be thrust into filling the potential void in the backfield. All Blacks v Springboks: Damian McKenzie injury puts Beauden Barrett in line at fullback Subscribe to listen In this four-test series, the All Blacks are unlikely to rush McKenzie into battle against the Boks and risk him sitting on the sideline for longer. McKenzie’s likely absence from the first test therefore shines a spotlight on the fullback role he has locked down under Rennie. Moorby, in the tour opening win against the Stormers, and Barrett, in the 50-19 domination of the Bulls last weekend, are the only other figures in Rennie’s six matches in charge to start at fullback for the All Blacks. Emoni Narawa also featured there after replacing McKenzie for the second half against the Sharks. Jordan is another option but Rennie has preferred to utilise his finishing ability from the wing. Fullback is a pivotal position for the All Blacks as the Boks launch their aerial assault, send their rapid wings and hulking loose forwards to disrupt the aerial contest and feast on the scraps. Two tests into his All Blacks career it would be a huge ask to throw Moorby into that fire. Should McKenzie indeed be ruled out, it would appear a straight shootout between Jordan and Barrett to fulfil the backfield duties. The path of least disruption could be to leave Moorby and Jordan, should he recover from his back issue, to start on the edges and inject Barrett to start at fullback. Barrett, in his first appearance of the tour and first game for two months after missing selection in July, struggled to assert himself from No 10 against the Stormers. His pathway to regaining that jersey appears to be slipping away as Ruben Love settles into the All Blacks backline director duties and Richie Mo’unga’s return will gradually increase his prominence in the coming weeks, once he features in some capacity in the final midweek match against the Lions. From fullback, though, Barrett delivered a vastly improved performance against the Bulls. The fact he started there suggests the All Blacks are strongly considering him as a leading alternative to McKenzie, too. Barrett wasn’t perfect against the Bulls. He missed one covering tackle and threw another wild, wayward pass but with more time and space on the ball, he was much more assured in his decision-making and involvements which included a well weighted chip for Leroy Cater and try assist to Moorby. In Ellis Park’s consuming, hostile arena, Barrett’s 144 test caps of experience will appeal to Rennie. McKenzie has formed a budding, complementary dual playmaking combination with Love for the All Blacks this season. He chimes into the backline where needed, often on backdoor plays from first-receiver, to alleviate the sole responsibility on Love to orchestrate the attack. Barrett is more comfortable fulfilling that playmaker role than Jordan. McKenzie’s expected absence also necessitates Barrett is likely to be needed as first-five cover for Love – either from fullback or the bench. Whoever starts at fullback for the All Blacks will expect a barrage of bombs from the Boks. They will view this area as a potential weak point and seek to exploit it at every opportunity through box kicks from the base and high hoists from anywhere else, with a view to entering the All Blacks red zone where they are then incredibly difficult to repel through their set piece and maul strengths. Caleb Clarke’s tour-ending injury also opens up a bench vacancy. Clarke was likely to be injected as an impact weapon against the Boks with his power carrying a valuable asset against tiring defenders, particularly at altitude. Anton Lienert-Brown is expected to provide midfield cover from the bench to leave Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter and Rieko Ioane contesting the other backline reserve role. Hurricanes wing Fineanganofo could have the inside running after impressing against the Sharks. Xavier Numia (Achilles) and Cortez Ratima (knee) are other minor injury concerns for the All Blacks. George Bower and Kyle Preston will be in line to take their places on the bench if they do not recover in time for the first test. Barrett, though, could be elevated to focal figure status from fullback. Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast. Listen to Elliott Smith’s live commentary on Newstalk ZB Sport and iHeartRadio, or join the Alternative Commentary Collective on iHeartRadio and Radio Hauraki.