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WOMENS

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International

Scott Barrett injury confirmed as All Blacks search for replacement

By Ben Smith

34 days ago

Scott Barrett, captain of New Zealand (L) with Ardie Savea of New Zealand during the International Test match between New Zealand All Blacks and France at Forsyth Barr Stadium on July 05, 2025 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

All Blacks captain Scott Barrett has been ruled out of the remainder of the Lipovitan-D July series against France after scans confirmed a tear.

Barrett left the field in Dunedin after 57 minutes in the first Test, a worrying sign that all was not right for a player who usually plays the 80 minutes.

“The process is medically at the moment, Scooter [Scott] won’t be available for the rest of the series,” assistant Hansen told media on Tuesday.

Du Toit on team alignment

“There is some options for us to consider and we are going through that process at the moment.”

Hansen confirmed that Barrett succumbed to a calf injury and that Ardie Savea will take the captaincy in Barrett’s absence.

“At this stage it seems to be a lower leg [calf]. We trust our depth, it will be an opportunity for someone else to step in. come in,” he said.

“Ardie will come in and lead us well like he’s done the last number of weeks.

“He’s the Skip, it’s disappointing for us. He’s a massive part of this team.”

Barrett’s injury means there will be at least two new starters in Wellington, with a lock and winger required as Sevu Reece will miss the second Test as well.

In terms of Barrett’s squad replacement, Chiefs lock Naitoa Ah Koui trained with the squad in Dunedin and might be the first off the rank in terms of replacement options.

The All Blacks have Tupou Vaa’i and Patrick Tuipulotu in the squad already as options in the second row.

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Comments

15 Comments

DC 33 days ago

whats jamie hannah up to

YeowNotEven 33 days ago

I like Ah Koi but he might be a bit short for an international lock.

Shalfoon? I kind of feel he might be a wee way away from being good enough.

Isiah Walker-Leawere wouldn’t let the jersey down but I don’t see him being a long term AB.

Whoever they pick is just injury cover and probably won’t get game time, so it’s really just getting someone in for a bit of an orientation gig.

B 33 days ago

Depth isn't the problem but how else will fringe players get experience…France fielded 8 newbies and AB’s with 4 in Dunedin…expect the AB’s to tidy up their act and make their tries count in Wellington…AB’s 13+

BA 34 days ago

I am a fan of Walker-Leawere I like a good s**t stirrer and he is choosing his times better reckon he could thrive in an ABs squad ,but good on Ah Koi was good more often than not all Super, Paddy start go with the big 3 see if we can get some lineout steals this time rather than the 🍩

SadersMan 34 days ago

The last time this early season scenario occurred, Ardie’s leadership was mud & Los Pumas beat us 30-38. Hopefully he’s a lot wiser this time.

Paddy Tuipolutu is clearly the next lock cab off the rank. His experience will fit well with rookie Holland. Also, his immense SRP Finals form in Blues beating Chiefs & going close v Crusaders, was impressive.

SouthernRuckby 33 days ago

The All Blacks didn’t lose to Argentina in Wellington last year due to Ardie Savea. The entire team had issues; the scrubbed late-game try being the prime example of this.

Utiku Old Boy 34 days ago

Scooter plays an important role in the AB forward pack - in addition to his leadership, he also has a high energy game - that has been a little off this year - wonder if he has been carrying this for a while? I like Ah-Kuoi but would like to see him at 6 in the international game. I think McWhannell played well for the Blues and the MABs and could cover a locking position and Walker-Leawere seems to have also tidied his game up this year so could be an option. Opportunities to test our depth.

SadersMan 34 days ago

Good thinking but not gonna happen. Holland needs an experienced big dog like Paddy at his side.

GP 34 days ago

Good points about those players. Scott Barrett’s locking partner at the Crusaders Antonio Shalfoon is another option. He had a great season . He is tough and made it in to the NZ Maori team.

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