Crusaders announce Scott Barrett will undergo back surgery

The Crusaders have revealed that All Blacks captain Scott Barrett faces a 3-5-month recovery period with back surgery scheduled for later this week.

The lock was due to return from a non-playing sabbatical at the back end of the current Super Rugby season, but the status of his health has been clouded in mystery as his absence has continued.

Three weeks ago, Crusaders coach Rob Penney said the 32-year-old’s return had been complicated by some “squeaky moments”, and the club were taking his recovery one week at a time.

On Wednesday, Penney provided an unfortunate update on the 89-Test veteran.

“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,” Penney 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.

“He’s got his head around it now. I guess a pretty special trip to South Africa that he’s going to miss. But ultimately he’s just got to get himself right.”

The initial timeline places Barrett on track for a return midway through the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour at the earliest, and after October’s Bledisloe Cup Tests at the latest.

Barrett’s injury announcement comes just a day after the Crusaders announced that Will Jordan will miss the rest of the Crusaders’ season due to 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 injury is one of many afflicting his second-row options across the country. Fabian Holland was ruled out of the Super Rugby Pacific season before it began with a shoulder injury suffered during his first pre-season game, and Patrick Tuipulotu returned from an injury in round 10 but is now back on the injury list with a neck injury.

On the flip side of that coin, Josh Lord has enjoyed the best spell of health in his young Chiefs career this year, and Sam Darry has emerged as a leader in the Blues’ environment during periods in which the team’s usual captains aren’t available.