Scott Barrett ends 10-month absence as surgery recovery clears All Blacks return path

Scott Barrett is set to return to professional rugby for the first time in 10 months when Taranaki face Hawke’s Bay in Napier this weekend, marking a significant milestone in the 32-year-old’s recovery from back surgery.

Barrett underwent a discectomy to treat a bulging disc that had affected the left side of his body, effectively ending his involvement in rugby since the All Blacks’ November 2024 Test against Wales. A contractual non-playing sabbatical of six months preceded the surgery, compounding the length of his absence.

“[The injury] depowered my left side so I couldn’t really run and do the things required for my job as a rugby player,” Barrett told 1 News. “It’s nice to be in a position to pull on the jersey and represent Taranaki again.”

The appearance will be only his second ever for the Taranaki Bulls and his first under new All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie, having missed the July Nations Championship fixtures and the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa entirely.

Barrett also addressed the personal toll of the past year, which included being replaced as All Blacks captain by Ardie Savea following Scott Robertson’s departure as head coach. He acknowledged the transition was difficult but said he has moved on.

“You have a close relationship with a head coach and when the team isn’t quite going that well and there’s a change like that, you probably reflect a little bit personally in your role as skipper at the time,” he said. “I’ve had time to reflect and probably learn from that and ultimately put that behind me.”

Barrett made clear his All Blacks ambitions remain intact. “If there’s an opportunity to wear the black jersey again, I’ll certainly give everything I’ve got for that team should that opportunity arise.”

New Zealand begin their Bledisloe Cup campaign on 10 October at Eden Park, with a return Test in Sydney the following week. Barrett’s NPC comeback comes at a timely moment — the All Blacks squad has been hit by a string of injuries on the South Africa tour, including to captain Savea, potentially opening the door for Barrett’s international recall should he come through the weekend unscathed.