The Crusaders will be without Scott Barrett for most of their Super Rugby Pacific title defence, with the All Blacks captain set to take a non-playing sabbatical in 2026.
Barrett, 31, has exercised a clause in his contract that will allow him to take an extended period of leave after the All Blacks’ Grand Slam tour and see him miss the majority of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
It’s a similar situation to that of All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor, who took a six-month non-playing sabbatical after the 2023 Rugby World Cup and returned for the last four games of the Crusaders’ regular season.
Crusaders coach Rob Penney said while the finer details of Barrett’s sabbatical were yet to be ironed out, his return would likely follow a similar timeline to Taylor’s 2023 break.
“He’s an iconic player, a legend. He can do what he likes,” Penney said.
“He’ll recharge the batteries. He loves this place and I suspect he’ll be floating around and adding value behind the scenes. When he’s right to put his body back in action and anger, he’ll be ready to go and he’ll be in.”
Fellow All Blacks Rieko Ioane, Ardie Savea and Anton Lienert-Brown will also take sabbaticals in 2026. Ioane will play in Ireland while Savea and Lienert-Brown will play in Japan. All three will miss the entirety of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
Barrett has played more than 100 games for the Crusaders since making his debut in 2014. The side have signed Otago’s Will Tucker as additional locking cover while Barrett is away, with Liam Jack promoted to a fulltime Crusaders contract as Quinten Strange has taken his talents to Japan.
While Scott Barrett will take a sabbatical, younger brother Jordie Barrett is set to return to the Hurricanes after spending last season on a sabbatical of his own and playing in Ireland. He’s joined by fellow returning backline player Josh Moorby, who rejoins the Hurricanes after a year in Japan.
There were several other big moves across the teams, with Ngani Laumape and Augustine Pulu joining Moana Pasifika, Kyren Taumoefolau and Lalakai Foketi joining the Chiefs, Angus Ta’avao joining the Highlanders and Pita Ahki returning to New Zealand shores to play for the Blues.
Props: Ben Ake, Flyn Yates, Jordan Lay, Joshua Fusitu’a, Marcel Renata, Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Hookers: Bradley Slater, James Mullan, Kurt Eklund.
Locks: Josh Beehre, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Tristyn Cook.
Loose Forwards: Anton Segner, Cameron Christie, Che Clark, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Malachi Wrampling, Terrell Peita.
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki.
First Fives: Beauden Barrett, Rico Simpson, Stephen Perofeta.
Midfield: AJ Lam, Corey Evans, James Cameron, Pita Ahki, Xavi Taele.
Outside Backs: Caleb Clarke, Cody Vai, Cole Forbes, Kade Banks, Payton Spencer, Zarn Sullivan.
Props: Benet Kumeroa, George Dyer, Jared Proffit, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Sione Ahio.
Hookers: Brodie McAlister, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Taine Kolose, Tyrone Thompson.
Locks: Aisake Vakasiuola, Fiti Sa, Jayden Sa, Josh Lord, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i.
Loose forwards: Jahrome Brown, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi.
Halfbacks: Cortez Ratima, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Xavier Roe.
First five-eighths: Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb, Tepaea Cook-Savage.
Midfielders: Daniel Rona, Kyle Brown, Lalakai Foketi, Quinn Tupaea.
Outside backs: Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Isaac Hutchinson, Kyren Taumoefolau, Leroy Carter, Liam Coombes-Fabling.
Hookers: Codie Taylor, George Bell, Manumaua Letiu.
Props: Fletcher Newell, Seb Calder, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Tamaiti Williams, George Bower, Finlay Brewis.
Locks: Scott Barrett, Jamie Hannah, Antonio Shalfoon, Liam Jack, Tahlor Cahill, Will Tucker.
Loose forwards: Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Corey Kellow, Dominic Gardiner, Xavier Saifoloi.
Halfbacks: Noah Hotham, Kyle Preston, Louie Chapman.
First five-eighths: Taha Kemara, Rivez Reihana, James White.
Midfielders: David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Toby Bell.
Outside backs: Will Jordan, Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece, Macca Springer, Aki Tuivailala, Johnny McNicholl, Maloni Kunawave.
Props: Josh Bartlett, Ethan de Groot, Sosefo Kautai, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Angus Ta’avao.
Hookers: Henry Bell, Jack Taylor, Soane Vikena.
Locks: Tai Cribb, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Tomás Lavanini
Loose forwards: Nikora Broughton, Oliver Haig, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Hugh Renton, Will Stodart, Sean Withy.
Halfbacks: Folau Fakatava, Adam Lennox, Dylan Pledger.
First five-eighths: Andrew Knewstubb, Cameron Millar, Taine Robinson.
Midfielders: Reesjan Pasitoa, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele’a, Jake Te Hiwi, Josh Whaanga.
Outside backs: Finn Hurley, Jonah Lowe, Jona Nareki, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Stanley Solomon, Caleb Tangitau, Xavier Tito-Harris.
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Vernon Bason, Jacob Devery, Raymond Tuputupu.
Props: Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Tevita Mafileo, Xavier Numia, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi.
Locks: Tom Allen, Warner Dearns, Caleb Delany, Hugo Plummer, Isaia Walker-Leawere.
Loose forwards: Devan Flanders, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Arese Poliko, Brad Shields.
Halfbacks: Ereatara Enari, Cam Roigard, Jordi Viljoen.
First five-eighths: Brett Cameron, Callum Harkin, Lucas Cashmore. Harry Godfrey was named in the team but is expected to miss the entire season due to injury.
Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor, Jone Rova, Bailyn Sullivan, Josh Timu.
Outside backs: Fehi Fineanganofo, Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Kini Naholo, Ngane Punivai.
Props: Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Paula Latu, Tito Tuipulotu.
Hookers: Mamoru Harada, Millennium Sanerivi, Samiuela Moli.
Locks: Alefosio Aho, Allan Craig, Jimmy Tupou, Ofa Tauatevalu, Tom Savage.
Loose forwards: Dominic Ropeti, Miracle Faiilagi, Niko Jones, Ola Tauelangi, Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Tupou Afungia.
Halfbacks: Augustine Pulu, Jonathan Taumateine, Melani Matavao, Siaosi Nginingini.
First five-eighths: Faletoi Peni, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Patrick Pellegrini.
Midfielders: Julian Savea, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Ngani Laumape, Tevita Latu.
Outside backs: Glen Vaihu, Israel Leota, Solomon Alaimalo, Tevita Ofa, Tuna Tuitama, William Havili.