Barrett’s foot surgery ‘successful’
Exactly when injured All Blacks lock Scott Barrett will be fit again isn’t yet clear.
A day after the Crusaders’ skipper was ruled out of Super Rugby Aotearoa with a foot injury, the 26-year-old went under the knife in Christchurch on Thursday.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson called the procedure ‘‘successful’’, but isn’t expected to have a rehabilitation plan for a couple of days.
While no international fixtures have yet been inked as Covid-19 continues to cause uncertainty, All Blacks coach Ian Foster will be keeping a close eye on the worldclass second rower.
Barrett ‘‘sustained significant injury to the structures supporting his big toe’’ in the all-Crusaders match in Christchurch earlier this month, denying the red and blacks the luxury of fielding an All Blacks second row of Whitelock and Barrett.
‘‘It was pretty emotional when he stood up and said to the team that he wouldn’t be involved this year. As a captain, he’s hugely respected by us, and he just wanted to lead his teams through his actions,’’ Robertson said.
‘‘Now, he’s going to have to do it off the field. We’ve added him to the coaching staff, he’s a creative mind. He’ll work just as hard off it for us to make sure he gives everything he possibly can.’’ Vice-captain David Havili called Barrett’s absence ‘‘huge’’, although the 10-times champions are flush with quality options behind Whitelock and Mitch Dunshea, including Quinten Strange and Luke Romano.
Barrett isn’t the only veteran player set to provide an extra voice and set of eyes from the sidelines.
Former All Blacks and Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis, who last played for the red and blacks in 2016, is also helping out at Rugby Park while he’s back in town.
The 36-year-old is between contracts and isn’t sure what’s next, but took the opportunity to have a run in the Crusaders’ inter-squad match earlier this month.
‘‘He’s probably a little bit like DC [Dan Carter], keeps himself incredibly fit, a great competitor. He’s here with us now, it’s great,’’ Robertson said.