New Zealand captain Scott Barrett will sit out most of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season after exercising a clause in his contract to take a non-playing sabbatical following the All Blacks' season-ending tour.
Crusaders coach Rob Penney said Barrett's return would likely mirror the schedule followed by teammate and fellow All Black Codie Taylor, who took a six-month sabbatical after the 2023 World Cup and came back for the last four games of Super Rugby.
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"He's an iconic player, a legend. He can do what he likes," Penney told New Zealand media.
"He'll recharge the batteries. He loves this place and I suspect he'll be floating around and adding value behind the scenes.
"When he's right to put his body back in action and anger, he'll be ready to go and he'll be in."
The loss of Barrett's experience and leadership will be a blow for the Crusaders as they look to defend their title in 2026.
Barrett is currently sidelined after sustaining a laceration on his leg during the All Blacks' 26-13 win over Ireland in Chicago.
He and his injured midfielder brother Jordie Barrett were both ruled out of the next Test against Scotland on Saturday.
Ardie Savea will captain the All Blacks in Scott Barrett's absence and Quinn Tupaea and Leicester Fainga'anuku are likely to form a new midfield combination.
"We're playing against a Scottish team with eight Lions in it," All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said.
"There are some generational players there, so it's going to be a game for the ages.
"We know their strengths and they'll know ours. But we'll pick the strongest team we think for a really physical Test match."
