Overview
- The Canterbury Crusaders confirmed on May 27 that Barrett will have surgery later this week after non‑surgical treatments failed and he faces up to five months on the sidelines.
- Barrett’s absence removes a leading lock and the team’s appointed captain from home Tests against France, Italy and Ireland and from the four-Test series in South Africa.
- The Crusaders also announced that wing Will Jordan has been shut down for the remainder of their Super Rugby season with a re‑aggravated calf injury, which casts doubt on his availability for the early July Tests despite some reports offering a more optimistic recovery timeline.
- New coach Dave Rennie must now resolve selection and captaincy questions without Barrett, with players such as Jordie Barrett, Ardie Savea and Codie Taylor among the early leadership candidates.
- The injuries add pressure on Crusaders squad depth as they push for playoff positioning and force the All Blacks to adjust their test plans and leadership ahead of squad selection in the weeks before July.