Rob Penney provides update on Scott Barrett’s long-awaited return to action for the Crusaders
Crusaders lock Scott Barrett and head coach Rob Penney (inset).
Crusaders head coach Rob Penney has revealed that All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett is close to making his long-awaited return to action in Super Rugby Pacific.
Barrett has not featured for the Christchurch-based outfit this season after it was confirmed towards the back-end of last year that he had exercised a clause in his contract to take a non-playing sabbatical after New Zealand’s 2025 end-of-year tour.
Also had surgery during his sabbatical
The 32-year-old, who has made 89 Test appearances for the All Blacks, subsequently had surgery on his ankle and Achilles tendon during his extended break from the game.
However, Penney broke the news that Barrett is back to full fitness and was training with the Crusaders this week.
Super Rugby Pacific‘s defending champions are set to face the Waratahs at their new multi-purpose home venue, the One New Zealand Stadium, in Christchurch on Friday and although Barrett will not be involved in that clash, Penney revealed that he is close to a return to action.
“He’s looking in great shape, and it’s awesome that he’s had that period off to get his body right and freshen his mind,” Penney told Stuff.
“He looks highly engaged and his training intensity will lift over the next week or so and we’ll just see how his body reacts.
“He’s not far away.”
The Crusaders could certainly do with Barrett’s services as they have not been at their best in this year’s competition and they come into their Round 11 clash with the Waratahs after suffering a 31-26 defeat against the Western Force in Perth last week.
That means the champions have won four and lost five of their nine matches played so far this season and they currently occupy sixth position in the standings.
Tough schedule awaits
With the tournament fast approaching its business end, the Crusaders can ill afford another defeat and after their clash with the ‘Tahs they face a tough away assignment against the table-topping Hurricanes before hosting the Blues, Chiefs and the men from Wellington in Christchurch ahead of the play-offs.
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The Crusaders’ cause has not been helped by a plethora of injuries to key players with the biggest casualty being All Blacks loosehead prop Tamaiti Williams, who has been ruled out of the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign due to a serious spinal infection.
Apart from Williams, loose forward Cullen Grace has also been on the sidelines since August last year after injuring the patella in his knee but, like Barrett, he is set to return to action soon.
“He’s not far away, he will probably have to come back via club footy,” said Penney.
“He just needs to face some physical challenges. He is moving now, it’s been a massively long period off for him, we’ve just got to do the right thing by him integration wise.”
