Scott Barrett's planned return to international rugby has been scuttled by a back injury that will keep the All Blacks captain sidelined for up to five months. The 88-Test veteran will undergo surgery this week, ruling him out of the highly anticipated four-match series against the Springboks in August and September.
The 32-year-old had taken a sabbatical from the majority of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season to address persistent ankle and Achilles issues. Crusaders coach Rob Penney confirmed Barrett returned to training in excellent condition before the back problem emerged.
"He has tried every non-invasive trick you could do to get right and it just hasn't come off, so he'll be in the operating theatre by the end of the week," Penney said. "He was in great shape, he had a great break, and he'd come back very excited. He's got his head around it now. It's a pretty special trip to South Africa that he's going to miss and some other bits and pieces. Ultimately, he's just got to get himself right."
Barrett will also miss the Nations Championship fixtures against France, Italy and Ireland in July. New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie will be forced to name a new captain for the upcoming campaign, with Barrett's future role under the former Wallabies boss already uncertain following Scott Robertson's dismissal in January. The lock's performances since taking the captaincy in 2024 had drawn criticism from sections of the New Zealand rugby public.