Scott Barrett is in the process of regaining match fitness following a back injury and a period away from the game, as he prepares for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup series. The veteran All Blacks lock has also recently been relieved of the team captaincy, a move that has drawn mixed reactions but is seen by many as a step to help him focus on his individual performance.

Barrett, 32, was stripped of the captaincy earlier this year after Ian Foster’s departure and the appointment of new head coach Dave Rennie. Ardie Savea was named as the new captain, a decision made late in the pre-season period. Rennie said the change was made after discussions with Barrett, who he described as a “reluctant captain” but someone proud to serve his country in that role.

“Scott was injured and unavailable for a while,” Rennie said. “When we spoke, I hadn’t told him about Ardie’s appointment. We made that decision late.” Rennie emphasized that Barrett remains a critical component of the team’s leadership group, even though he no longer wears the captain’s armband. “He’s an excellent player, one of the best locks in the world. While he won’t captain the side, he’ll be an important part from a leadership perspective.”

Barrett’s captaincy tenure drew some criticism for its impact on his on-field performances. Despite consistently demonstrating world-class ability for both club and country, observers noted that the added responsibility seemed to hinder his effectiveness. Savea, who previously deputized for Barrett and teammate Sam Cane, is viewed as a more natural leader, which factored into Rennie’s decision.

After missing much of the domestic season, Barrett has started to return to action. Prior to the announcement of the Bledisloe Cup squad, he had clocked just 52 minutes for Taranaki across two matches. Rennie acknowledged questions about his match readiness but expressed optimism that Barrett’s ongoing involvement in provincial games would build his fitness ahead of the intense trans-Tasman rivalry.

“He’s been rehabbing for a long time and probably could have returned slightly earlier,” Rennie said. “He was keen to get out there and it was good to see him play over 50 minutes. He’ll be on the field again this Sunday. Hopefully, he’ll get another 40 minutes into him before the Bledisloe starts.”

Barrett’s return adds depth and experience to the All Blacks pack as they look to regain momentum after a challenging period marked by inconsistent form. While not resuming the captaincy, Barrett’s role within the team remains significant as New Zealand prepares to face Australia in the highly anticipated series.