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'Good as they get': Scott Barrett primed for timely All Blacks return
Sport Nation • October 5th, 2026 2:48 pm
Scott Barrett | Photo: Robin Alam/Photosport
Scott Barrett is in contention to return for the All Blacks against the Wallabies in Saturday's first Bledisloe Cup match, after working his way back from injury with a handful of NPC appearances for Taranaki.
All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan said the 32-year-old had returned to the squad in good shape after specifically seeking game time for Taranaki to help prepare for Test rugby.
“He's come in again, he has come in sharp too," Ryan said.
“He really requested wanting to play for Taranaki yesterday, wanted to get 40 minutes under his belt so he's genuinely selectable to play Test rugby.”
Ryan said Barrett would bring his familiar strengths to the team, including his ball carrying and physicality.
“I think he's just got to come in and be himself. He is a very lateral thinker of the game, we just need him to play free and really relaxed and be really capable of what he's really good around - his ball carry and his physicality around the four-pack.
“I know that he’s worked extremely hard and I think this injury, as much as it is a nasty one, it's potentially given him a little bit of longevity in his career and he's looking real sharp.”
Scott Barrett in Taranaki colours | Photo: Kerry Marshall/Photosport
Ryan also credited Barrett for his preparation and attention to detail.
“He actually makes me a better coach to be honest. He thrives on detail and he's always done the work. He's always really genuinely prepared every single week," Ryan explained.
“If you show him a couple clips, usually he's seen it which means he's done the work and that challenges me and challenges the whole group and he is already adding to that which is important.
“He’s as good as they get when he’s on."
Barrett’s experience and physical presence were missed during the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa, Ryan said.
“A player of that capability, I think he’s 80-odd tests, you do miss the experience and also the physicality he added.
“So it's going to be great to have him back in there. We've given some young locks a real taste of it and we'll be better for it and we have to be better for it.”
