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Scott Barrett talks Pumas-induced 'sick feeling' and All Blacks redemption
By Ned Lester
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett has felt the full force of playing Los Pumas in Argentina, and while those memories aren’t pretty, he’s prepared to do it all again for his team.
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Speaking to the media following captain’s run in Corboda, the second-row forward reflected on something of a ‘welcome to Test rugby’ moment from early in his career.
Long before he was promoted to captain, Barrett was finding his feet at the international level and being eased into Test rugby through bench appearances. Once he started to earn some chances in the starting unit, the Pumas were on hand to show him what he could expect moving forward.
“One of my first Test matches I played here was probably one of the sickest feelings I’ve had after a game, with just how demanding the Test match was,” Barrett said.
“I was just lightheaded and a little bit pale, that’s how demanding it was there in Buenos Aires. So, I’m anticipating that’s where I’m going to have to go, physically.
“In this team, we want to play fast and physical, and so you’ve got to take your body to certain places.”
Now 80 Tests into his All Blacks career, Barrett is leading his side into a Cordoba cauldron to kick off the 2025 Rugby Championship, and his experience serves as a tale of caution for a couple of Test rookies starting alongside the captain in the Kiwi forward pack.
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Fellow lock Fabian Holland and flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi are in for their first taste of Pumas rugby, and they both have key roles to play in the All Blacks’ game plan.
“I think if the game does play out to be fast, it’ll make for a great spectacle for the Cordoba crowd,” Barrett added. “For us, we’d love to slow their ball down and not give them too much ball in our half.
“Test matches are won through discipline and territory, and we’d love to hold the ball and put the Pumas under pressure.”
Having surrendered their dominant streak of Rugby Championship titles in 2024 with just a 50 per cent win rate, Barrett and the All Blacks are looking to come out of the gates hot in round one.
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The team have identified the opening 20 minutes as a critical period to win, not wanting to offer the hosts or their crowd any momentum.
“The boys trained with great intensity yesterday, and we put the final polish on the week’s performance today. It’s just about getting out there tomorrow night and playing some All Blacks rugby.
“We’re on a bit of a mission for this Rugby Championship and I’m keen to take our game up another level.”
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