Scott Barrett will miss the majority of Super Rugby Pacific on a non-playing sabbatical. Photo / Photosport
Scott Barrett is eyeing a return to the Crusaders – but it won’t be in time for the Super Round at the brand new Christchurch stadium.
Barrett took a non-playing sabbatical at the end of 2025 after the All Blacks wrapped up their northern tour with a 52-26 win over Wales in Cardiff.
Since then, Scott Robertson has been replaced as All Blacks coach by Dave Rennie.
Barrett, a veteran of 89 test matches, says he has spoken with the incoming head coach.
“He just introduced himself and had a conversation on what he’s going to bring to the team and some of the expectations around the type of athlete that he’s looking for and the game that we want to play. That was the first introduction that he had with the group and myself, so, yeah, it’s a bit of a transition period, but I think he’ll hit the ground running,” Barrett said.
The 31-year-old says he’s not had much to do with Rennie – but he has experienced playing against his sides.
“You can sort of see the way previous teams have played. The Chiefs team, the style and the DNA that they want to bring out in their game, that’s sort of unique to his style of coaching and obviously being influenced by [Sir] Wayne Smith. He’s a sharp coach and I think he’ll have a positive influence on the group as well.”
One of the key players in that Chiefs side was Barrett’s former All Blacks locking partner Brodie Retallick. The veteran was rumoured to be considering a return to the black jersey after his current stint in Japan. Barrett says he hasn’t heard from Retallick – but he’s aware of his form.
“I think he has been playing some good rugby up there. You probably wouldn’t rule him out coming back. Knowing Brodie, he’s a hell of a competitor and he might just want to have one last crack at a World Cup. Who knows?”
Barrett, the incumbent All Blacks captain, says there was no chat with Rennie yet about retaining the leadership job.
“No, nothing yet. I think he’s still working through his coaching team and management from what I understand. I’ll sort of wait for that conversation, I guess, and until then I think I’ll just keep chipping away with my rehab and pre-season and look forward to getting back and playing some rugby soon.”
That looks likely to be in early May. Though on sabbatical, Barrett is also in the throes of rehabilitating after surgery in December on a troublesome ankle and Achilles.
“Trying to get that right – or better than what it has been in the last couple of years. That’s probably the number one priority at the moment for me and looking to get back for the Crusaders the tail end of the season.”
That will mean he misses out on making history at the first game under the roof at Christchurch’s new One NZ Stadium.
“You would love to be out there, but I think the timing for me being ready isn’t quite there. I’ll happily be a fan in the first round of games there. It’ll actually be quite nice to sit in the stands.”
Aside from his rehab programme, Barrett says he has been busy away from the professional rugby environment.
“A bit of time with family, doing a governance course through Fonterra, so a bit of learning, a bit of leadership stuff with that. And I have been doing a little bit of fishing and hopefully going fishing tomorrow as well.”
Barrett debuted for the Crusaders in 2014 against a touring England side. He’s played well over 100 matches for the franchise since, winning eight titles (including the Covid-era New Zealand-only championships). This is the first time he’s had an extended break from the game.
“It does feel a little bit odd because you see the boys are running out every week and you try to distance yourself in a way that you don’t get too keen and come back too early.
“The purpose of this was to refresh me, mentally and physically, so I could hopefully charge on and go to the World Cup next year and go one better than we have.”
Mike Thorpe is a senior multimedia journalist for the Herald, based in Christchurch. He has been a broadcast journalist across television and radio for 20 years and joined the Herald in August 2024.