WELLINGTON, New Zealand — One of New Zealand rugby’s most high-profile leaders will sit out the All Blacks’ most critical upcoming fixtures, after a persistent back injury forced a decision for urgent corrective surgery that will end his 2025 club season early. Scott Barrett, the 32-year-old starting forward and incumbent All Blacks captain, has been ruled out of July’s inaugural Nations Championship test series and the national side’s landmark tour of South Africa and the United States running through August and September, a schedule that includes four highly anticipated matches against the reigning world champion Springboks.
Barrett has spent months attempting to manage his chronic back issue through non-invasive treatments, but none of the conservative measures delivered the long-term relief the player needed. With no improvement after exhausting all non-surgical options, surgery is scheduled by the end of this week, which will also cut short his current Super Rugby campaign with the Christchurch-based Crusaders.
Crusaders head coach Rob Penney confirmed the tough news in comments to reporters, noting that Barrett has come to terms with the disappointing outcome. “He’s got his head around it now — a pretty special trip to South Africa that he’s going to miss and some other bits and pieces. But ultimately, he’s just got to get himself right,” Penney said.
Barrett’s absence comes amid a period of off-season leadership transition for the All Blacks, adding an extra layer of uncertainty to the side’s preparation ahead of their packed calendar. The forward was appointed as the All Blacks’ 81st test captain in 2024, when former Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson took over the national program. But Robertson was unexpectedly relieved of his duties as head coach in January 2025, with former Australia Wallabies boss Dave Rennie stepping into the role to lead the side into the new international cycle.
Rennie has not yet announced his official choice for captain, and even before Barrett’s injury, speculation had mounted that Barrett would not retain the leadership role under the new coaching regime. Now, three standout players have emerged as the top contenders to replace Barrett as captain for the upcoming series: his younger brother Jordie Barrett, dynamic backrower Ardie Savea, and experienced hooker Codie Taylor.
For New Zealand fans, the loss of Barrett adds a major challenge to what is already one of the most demanding schedules in recent All Blacks history. The side will kick off the brand-new Nations Championship with three consecutive home tests: against France in Christchurch on July 4, Italy in Wellington on July 11, and Ireland in Auckland on July 18. Immediately after the home series, the team will depart for a combined tour of South Africa and the United States that features four test matches against the Springboks, plus additional provincial fixtures against South African club sides the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions.