All Blacks Captain Scott Barrett Undergoes Surgery Following Injury Against Fiji
New Zealand’s All Blacks captain, Scott Barrett, has undergone surgery on his finger after sustaining an injury during their dominant 47-5 victory over Fiji in San Diego. Barrett, who has been a cornerstone in all three Tests of 2024, was appointed captain by new head coach Scott Robertson, a partnership forged through their successful tenure with the Crusaders.
The precise recovery timeline for Barrett remains uncertain, casting doubt over his availability for the start of the Rugby Championship. However, despite this setback, Barrett is expected to be named in the All Blacks squad, which will be announced on Sunday. In his absence, it is anticipated that Ardie Savea will assume the captaincy.
Second-Row Challenges
Robertson faces a significant challenge with Barrett’s injury exacerbating the All Blacks’ already thin second-row resources. The team is still adapting to life without the legendary duo of Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick. With Barrett sidelined, the likely second-row pairing will be Patrick Tuipulotu and rising star Tupou Vaa’i. Although Vaa’i has shown considerable growth, he is still finding his footing on the Test stage.
Additionally, newly capped Sam Darry, who impressed on his debut against Fiji, is seen as a promising talent for the future. However, Robertson may hesitate to thrust him into a starting role prematurely.
Rugby Championship Campaign
These developments pose significant concerns for Robertson and his coaching staff as they prepare for the Rugby Championship. The All Blacks will kick off their campaign with two home Tests against Los Pumas in Wellington and at Eden Park, followed by a challenging two-Test tour to South Africa. The tournament will conclude with the Bledisloe Cup Tests against Australia.
Robertson will be keen to see Barrett return as swiftly as possible to bolster the squad during this critical period. The All Blacks’ depth and resilience will be tested as they navigate these early challenges in the premier Southern Hemisphere tournament.
