Scott Barrett's sabbatical has ended in disappointment after the All Blacks captain was ruled out for up to five months with a back injury requiring surgery. The 88-Test veteran will go under the knife this week and miss New Zealand's four-Test tour of South Africa in August and September.
Barrett had taken time away from Super Rugby Pacific to recover from persistent ankle and Achilles issues, intending to return ahead of the Nations Championship. However, the back problem flared up upon his return to training with the Crusaders.
"He's 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," Crusaders coach Rob Penney said. "He was in great shape, he had a great break, and he'd come back very excited. He's as frustrated as all of us are for him."
The setback means Barrett will also miss the July Nations Championship matches against France, Italy and Ireland. New head coach Dave Rennie will be forced to appoint a new captain for the upcoming campaign, with Barrett's future role under the Australian already uncertain following Scott Robertson's dismissal in January.
"He's got his head around it now, I guess a pretty special trip to South Africa that he's going to miss and some other bits and pieces, but ultimately he's just got to get himself right," Penney added.