Scott Barrett had surgery when he gets back to New Zealand.
The latest doubt in Scott Robertson’s Rugby Championship team is All Blacks captain Scott Barrett, who needed surgery after a finger injury he suffered in a match against Fiji in San Diego.
The injury was disclosed in a statement released by New Zealand Rugby on Saturday, but no rehabilitation timetable was provided. “After returning to New Zealand, Scott Barrett had to have surgery to treat a finger injury he sustained during the All Blacks Test against Fiji in San Diego,” the statement said.
“The damage is currently being evaluated.” After the roster for The Rugby Championship is announced on Sunday, it is anticipated that the coaching staff will offer more commentary. If Barrett is unable to play in the first Test match against Argentina in two weeks, the team will need to choose a new captain and find more second-row backup. Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, and Tupou Vaa’i were the only locks chosen by the team for the Steinlager Series, despite Barrett’s health being a concern.
After suffering an MCL injury in the Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal matchup with Fiji, Tuipulotu miraculously returned to the team and proceeded to play in the grand final two weeks later.
Even though it was an amazing accomplishment, the Blues captain missed the trip to California because doctors felt it was best for him to continue recovering following an exhausting England series. Out of the 33-man roster, Vaa’i is the only healthy lock. In San Diego, 24-year-old Sam Darry replaced Tuipulotu, marking his All Blacks debut as the first of a new generation of second rowers to wear the black jersey after the legendary careers of Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick.
Josh Lord, a four-time All Black, accompanied Darry in the All Blacks camp during the England series as extra cover. For The Rugby Championship, selectors may again rely upon both players. A captain is also required for the team. Ardie Savea, the vice captain and current World Rugby Player of the Year, is seen as the front-runner for the award, which he has previously shared eight times.