All Blacks captain Scott Barrett has been ruled out for up to five months after a back injury that will require surgery this week, ending his involvement in New Zealand's eight-match tour of South Africa in August and September — including all four Tests against the Springboks.
Crusaders coach Rob Penney confirmed the news in Christchurch on Wednesday, saying the 88-test lock had exhausted every non-invasive treatment option. "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.
Barrett had already taken a sabbatical earlier this year to manage persistent lower leg problems and was targeting an April return before his back flared up. "He was in great shape, he had a great break, and he'd come back very excited," Penney said. "He's got his head around it now. It's a pretty special trip to South Africa that he's going to miss."
The injury also rules Barrett out of the home Nations Championship Tests against France, Italy and Ireland in July.
The setback deepens an already uncertain period for the 32-year-old. With Dave Rennie appointed head coach in March following Scott Robertson's dismissal in January, Barrett's captaincy and starting lock berth were already under scrutiny. Ardie Savea, Codie Taylor and Jordie Barrett have all been mentioned as captaincy candidates, with Rennie having consulted Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Keven Mealamu and NBA star Steven Adams on leadership before naming his first squad on June 22.
The Crusaders also confirmed that wing Will Jordan is out for the rest of the Super Rugby season with a calf injury, though he is expected to be available for the July Tests.