Beauden Barrett provides update following neck injury

Beauden Barrett could make his return to the field against Argentina this weekend after sitting out New Zealand's surprise 25-18 loss in Christchurch.

Barrett took a knock to the neck at training last Tuesday and was subsequently omitted from the squad to take on the Pumas, despite starting in the All Blacks' opening four matches of the season and featuring off the bench in the fifth.

With Barrett out of action, Richie Mo'unga once again took the reins in the No 10 jersey while the uncapped Stephen Perofeta was handed bench duties for what turned out to be a 50-second cameo off the bench in the defeat.

Speaking to media this week, Barrett has indicated he's hoping to be back on deck for the rematch with the Pumas in Hamilton.

"[I'm] feeling really good," said Barrett, one week after he'd been whisked away to the team hotel in the middle of training. "Sun's on the back, beautiful Hamilton day and good to get full training under my belt too.

"[The neck is] feeling better. I'm working hard on it. I've realised that I've got to get a neck like a front-rower to be able to handle these knocks so I've been working hard on it in the gym with [All Blacks physio] Pete [Gallagher] and a few more shoulder-on tackles and I'd say I'm just about ready to go."

It's fair to say that Barrett's neck has taken a bit of a bruising this season, with the former World Rugby Player of the Year landing dangerously following a mid-air challenge from Springboks winger Kurt-Lee Arendse during the first encounter between NZ and South Africa this year in Mbombela.

While Barrett had ostensibly recovered in time for the rematch in Johannesburg, that's when he was first shifted to the reserves by coach Ian Foster.

"I guess it all adds up," said Barrett when questioned whether the knock at Ellis Park could have been at least partially at fault for the latest injury.

"It's another knock. [You] try and treat everything in isolation but maybe it did have a compounding effect but I'm feeling pretty good this week. Just working on it each day, rehabbing, strengthening."

Provided Barrett is ruled fit and ready to take on Argentina at Waikato Stadium, Foster must now make the decision between starting Mo'unga - the man who looked so dangerous against the Springboks but was less effective against the Pumas, or reverting to the No 10 who has been in charge throughout the bulk of the season to date. Either way, it's likely Stephen Perofeta will have to bide his time before getting another bite at the apple.

Saturday's match-up between the All Blacks and Los Pumas is set to kick off at 7:05pm.