Barrett, 30, was making his first start for the Blues this season having suffered a concussion in a Test match against Ireland in November.
The playmaker was escorted off the pitch in Dunedin early in the second half after a high-speed clash with Highlanders centre Fetuli Paea.
Beauden Barrett failed an HIA
Barrett underwent a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) but was not allowed to return to the match and was replaced by Stephen Perofeta who saw his team home to a 32-25 victory.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald said that the team were not prepared to take risks with Beauden Barrett’s health.
“It was a no-brainer. He got a good contact to his face – that’s why he’s got a bleeding nose,” MacDonald was quoted by rugbypass.com.
“We’re never going to take any chances with Beauden, we want to look after his health and make sure he’s well.”
He added: “They were brutal carries and their clean-outs were ferocious in the second half and Barrett was on the end of one.
“He’s got a good fat lip and a bleeding nose and hopefully it’s nothing much more than that. We’ll have to track him and see how he cleans up.”
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
