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Origin I LIVE from 9pm tonightAll Blacks captain facing lengthy sideline stint
Sport Nation •  May 27th, 2026 1:50 pm
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett | Photo: Enzo Santos/Photosport
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines, with the veteran Crusaders lock requiring back surgery that could rule him out for up to five months.
The 32-year-old suffered the setback while preparing to return from his non-playing sabbatical, with the injury now set to sideline him for the July Test window and likely the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship clashes against the Springboks later in the year.
Barrett has yet to feature in 2026 after his back issue flared up during his comeback preparations, with reports initially fearing his season may be over entirely.
