How Scott Barrett reacted to losing All Blacks captaincy to Ardie Savea

Back in the All Blacks for this month’s home and away Bledisloe Cup tests against Australia, Scott Barrett will be free to regain his best form without the added burden of leadership.

After years working together and conquering all before them with the Crusaders, Scott Robertson had no hesitation in naming Barrett as captain when he took charge of the All Blacks in 2024.

Barrett’s form was so compelling that Sam Whitelock finished his career in the No 19 jersey after he was unable to dislodge the 32-year-old from the starting side during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

However, as the All Blacks struggled for form, Robertson’s sacking at the start of this year also saw Barrett demoted from the top job by new appointee Dave Rennie, and Ardie Savea installed as captain in his place.

The move, while perhaps harsh, appears right. For all the showings of a world-class player at club and test level, Barrett’s game was clearly hindered by captaincy.

Savea, as evidenced when deputising for Barrett and Sam Cane before him, appears a more natural fit to lead the side.

Scott Barrett (right) lines up for the All Blacks with his brothers Jordie (left) and Beauden. Photo / Photosport

Having been named to return to the All Blacks after a back injury and his non-playing sabbatical, Rennie hopes easing the responsibility on Barrett will allow him to regain the form that saw him become such a key player.

“When I got appointed, I spoke a lot to Scooter [Barrett],” he said. “It was more around how he found the captaincy, the leadership group and a lot of things around that.

“Him and I had a conversation around where he was at. I think he was a bit of a reluctant captain, [but] very proud to do that for his country.

“With the injury, he wasn’t available to play anyway. When I was having conversations with Scooter, I hadn’t told him that Ardie would be the captain. We made that appointment quite late.

“But he’s impressive. He’s obviously excited to be back in the mix, he’s worked incredibly hard.

“We’re rapt to have him back in, he brings a lot of experience. 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, for us.”

It’s unlikely Barrett will walk straight back into a starting spot.

When the All Blacks squad for the Bledisloe Cup was picked, he’d played just 52 minutes for Taranaki – in the second game he’d ever played for his home province.

Scott Barrett on his provincial return for Taranaki. Photo / Photosport

While that might lead to questions over his match fitness to face Australia, Rennie hopes another stint against Wellington will help Barrett get back into groove before the Bledisloe Cup begins.

“He’s been rehabbing for a long time, he probably could have come back a tad earlier,” he said.

“Since the surgery, he’s been working really hard. He’s been on his feet, he’s been doing a lot of contact work.

“He was jumping out of his skin to get out there. It was good to see him get 50-odd minutes and he’s going to play again this Sunday. [He’ll] hopefully get another 40 minutes into him.

“I’m confident he can back up, if required, again the following Saturday.”

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.