Beauden Barrett feared the worst after landing on his head

FEARFUL: New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett feared the worst after being hit in mid-air by South Africa's Kurt-Lee Arendse. Pic: INPHO/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

New Zealand star Beauden Barrett says he feared the worst after being hit in mid-air by South Africa's Kurt-Lee Arendse during Saturday's Rugby Championship opener.

Arendse was shown a straight red card by Australian referee Angus Gardner for the incident which saw Barrett land on his head in the game between the sides in Nelspruit.