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Thursday

12:00

Autumn Nations Series

Scott Barrett's reluctant response on improvements as All Blacks captain

By Ben Smith

14 days ago

Referee Holly Davidson chats to New Zealand's Scott Barrett during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 rugby international match between Wales and New Zealand at Principality Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Ian Cook - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Scott Barrett provided a coy response when asked what he “needed to improve on” going into next year as team captain following their last Test of the year in Cardiff.

Barrett’s captaincy has been a point of conjecture among All Blacks supporters since he was appointed by incoming head coach Scott Robertson.

The 32-year-old offered a guarded response when asked about improvements as team captain, saying he wasn’t going to “look too far forward”.

Rassie Erasmus responds to ‘chaotic game’ statement

“Like I said out there on the grass, I’m not going to look too far forward or too far back at the moment,” Barrett said.

“I’m going to enjoy tonight, there will be plenty of time in coming weeks to reflect on where we are as a team.

“I think there has been improvement as the season has wore on. At times we weren’t where we would’ve liked to be through key stages in our season.

“Ultimately our trajectory as a team is on the way up. There’s a big two years ahead of us, and Razor and the group should be excited about the challenge that lays ahead.”

Under the Barrett-Robertson captain-coach partnership, the All Blacks have won 20 Tests, losing seven.

While they have retained the Bledisloe Cup with a perfect four from four over Australia, they have failed to win the Rugby Championship in both seasons.

Robertson’s coaching staff has dealt with instability over the two yers, with multiple assistants leaving the set up without being replaced.

In 2026 the team will undertake a historic tour of South Africa, with the Rugby Championship on pause.

Comments

5 Comments

Karlos G 13 days ago

Just let him have time off, away from rugby spend some time with the family wife and kids, come back refreshed maybe he finds some 2023 form.He’s not my preferred captain but than neither is Ardie, he just seems like the next man up, but both of them reacon they've maybe only got a season or two in them at peak form!

All blacks 13 days ago

They want to watch the game against France in2004 and the will see how bad they really are , Scott Robertson has brought nothing to this all blacks team, no speed handling skills are terrible and they have no pride in wearing the jersey ,he has brought the worst out in b barret . R macaw , d carter , t woodcock,

Umunga , g Collins , Keller , j Cowan , can’t remember any more but this lot ?

Bazzallina 14 days ago

Pretty rude imo interview with Wallace and Scooter after the match from Brit media carrying on with the “vulnerable aura disappointed poor season “ type questions after their last match gor the year, Wallace had to bite his lip I reckon then fave it the “ your either with us or you ain’t”Scooter gave up the “now is not the time “reply which is totally correct time to reflect needs some distance now and then they doubled down asking similar stuff again in the presser ..yea England got us but it’s one bloody game nobody should read to much into that down 12 mill and ABs making breaks everywhere Engkand on a warning wasn’t looking so rosy and peeps realize it’s damn tight at the top ( well just under the top reality Boks are king clearly but not insurmountable) this type of questioning has gone on all tour and the stink of Northern media wanting ABs to fail all seems bit weird to me as there is no levity to it It’s not banter it’s not having a “dig” it is a narrative that no team would ever “embrace” no winning team anyhow because when they wear the same color jersey u have to back ur bruthas up no matter what …Andy Farrell been getting the same crap too I mean be real what sort of coach would throw their team under the bus…rubbish ones would, if Scooter vacates the captaincy after his sabbatical that should not necessarily be seen as a failure or something bad , being able to pivot and take in ya stride what counts towards winning

DH 13 days ago

He's a terrible captain

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