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Crusaders captain Scott Barrett to undergo surgery
By Online Editors
Crusaders captain Scott Barrett, who started at blindside flanker in the All Blacks' loss to England during last year's Rugby World Cup semi-final, has been ruled out of the Super Rugby Aotearoa season.
The 26-year-old second-rower injured his foot in the Crusaders' intra-squad match held last weekend and was unable to lead his side in their first match over the weekend with Codie Taylor instead handed the captain's armband.
Coach Scott Robertson was less than confident when queried prior to the match against the Hurricanes whether Barrett would feature at all this season and the latest news out of the camp has confirmed that Barrett is to undergo surgery on his plantar fascia tendon.
"After consultation with a foot specialist, it has been determined that Scott will miss the remainder of the Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa competition to undergo surgery and allow sufficient time to recover. Exact return to play dates are uncertain at this stage,'' the Crusaders announced on Wednesday.
38-year-old Alex Ainley has joined the Crusaders in Barrett's place. The favourites to take out the new Super Rugby Aotearoa competition still boast a competitive second-row unit with Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano both experienced All Blacks and Quinten Strange and Mitch Dunshea earmarked for big futures.
Taylor will take over the full-time captaincy role.
The Crusaders will host the Chiefs in Christchurch this weekend and have sold over 11,000 tickets to the game, despite a damning weather forecast.
The Chiefs are yet to win a game in the competition while the Crusaders scored five tries against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Sunday.
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Latest Comments
The winner breaks into the (key) top 6 in the World rankings and locks the other out (Australia will lead Scot by 1.6 points if they win). Australia won't get a chance to improve until next years RC so this match is vital. Scotland must hold the line for their part.
Australia are obviously well capable of beating Ireland but with accumulating fatigue becoming a factor I expect an all out performance from Australia tomorrow with Ireland viewed as a bonus.
It will be hopefully a cracker but this is the type of match that Scotland must start winning to take that step up that they crave.
Go to commentsAgree.
Ireland are off their feet at the majority of their attacking rucks. Its so common that commentators don't even notice it. We hear about "clear outs" and "clean outs", which don't exist in the Laws (the correct word is "binding"), and the obligation to "endeavour to stay on your feet" is nowhere to be seen.
Ireland is not the only team to adopt this coached flopping and diving at attacking rucks, but its clearly part of their quick ruck ball strategy.
No need for law changes here. We just need refs to award penalties when players don't endeavour to stay on their feet.
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