Scott Barrett to undergo back surgery with 3-5 month recovery ahead

All Blacks captain Scott Barrett will go under the knife before the end of this week after exhausting all non-invasive treatment options for a back injury, the Crusaders confirmed on Wednesday. The 32-year-old lock faces a recovery period of three to five months, ruling him out of Super Rugby Pacific’s playoffs and placing his participation in October’s Bledisloe Cup Tests in serious doubt.

Barrett had been on a non-playing sabbatical and was expected to return to the Crusaders late in the current Super Rugby season, but his absence stretched on without a clear explanation. Three weeks ago, head coach Rob Penney acknowledged the situation had been complicated by some “squeaky moments”, with the club managing his progress week by week.

Penney confirmed the surgical decision on Wednesday. “He’s tried every non-invasive trick you can 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,” the coach said. “He was in great shape and had had a great break, and he’d come back very excited. He’s still contributing, as he does really meaningfully behind the scenes, but he’s as frustrated as all of us are for him.”

Penney added that Barrett had come to terms with the situation, including missing what he described as “a pretty special trip to South Africa”. The initial recovery timeline puts the 89-Test veteran on track to return at the earliest midway through the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour, and at the latest around the Bledisloe Cup Tests in October.

The news compounds a difficult week for the Crusaders. On Tuesday, the club announced that wing Will Jordan will miss the remainder of their season with a calf injury that also threatens his availability for the start of the All Blacks’ campaign. The reigning Super Rugby Pacific champions are fighting for a home qualifying final against the Hurricanes this week, with the playoffs beginning next week.

For All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie, Barrett’s surgery adds to a growing injury crisis in the second row. Fabian Holland was ruled out of the entire Super Rugby Pacific season before it began with a shoulder injury, while Patrick Tuipulotu, who returned from injury in round 10, is now sidelined again with a neck complaint.

There are some positives in the picture. Josh Lord has enjoyed the most consistent run of health in his young Chiefs career this season, and Sam Darry has stepped up as a leader in the Blues’ environment during periods when the team’s usual captains have been unavailable.