Having been ruled out with a problematic back injury, Scott Barrett could only watch the All Blacks as a fan, across their Greatest Rivalry series against the Springboks.
Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.
Barrett played no part in South Africa, and has not featured upon the Test match stage since taking on Wales last Autumn
Since then, Barrett took a planned time away from the pitch to make a full recovery from his back injury, which required the Crusaders man to undergo surgery for an arduous stint on the side-lines.
However, he's now back and keen to put any retirement chat on the back burner.
"You ride the emotions of the results." Barrett said to New Zealand outlet Stuff.
"There's been a lot of water that's gone under the bridge since I was last here. “ the 32-year-old said. ”I'm excited to see where this team has shifted to."
In his absence, there has been major changes around the All Blacks camp. Former head coach Scott Robertson was removed from his post, with Dave Rennie appointed to the helm.
Rennie's first piece of business was to hand Ardie Savea the All Blacks captaincy, fresh from winning the Japan Rugby League One title with the back row.
This saw Barrett then officially removed from his duties as skipper. He has since made his return to the NPC with Taranaki, featuring in victories over Hawke's Bay and Wellington to get up to speed.
However, Savea would suffer a season-ending dislocated shoulder in the third of four test matches with the Springboks. With the newly announced Blues man out of action, All Blacks may have guessed that Barrett was next in line for the captaincy.
However, Rennie announced Codie Taylor `as the man for the job, with the veteran hooker set to lead New Zealand for their two-match Bledisloe Cup series against the Wallabies over the coming fortnight.
Barrett expressed how he had spoken to Rennie, and was “pretty open and honest around my experience [as captain] through that two-year period [under Roberston]."
“Whether he had that in his mind, to go in a different direction with the captaincy, that conversation may have confirmed that."
The All Blacks begin their defense of the Bledisloe Cup on Saturday, with a blockbuster clash lined up at Eden Park. New Zealand were left frustrated from their Greatest Rivalry series, with an overall 3-1 Test series defeat to the Springboks highlighting several pitfalls against the world champions.
However, adding extra intrigue into the usual furocity of the trans-Tasman rivalry, is the Wallabies recent 42-38 Test match win over South Africa in Perth.
The Wallabies are unbeaten in five tests now, under new coach Les Kiss. The Springboks win was the latest triumph, following back-to-back two-match series sweeps of Japan and Argentina. The All Blacks have not lost to Australia since 2020, yet that is no reason to enter Auckland lightly.
"We're fully on alert for what's coming this week,“ Barrett said. “As a team, we've already addressed a few things on where we need to get better.
“We've talked about them, but it's not until you see it on the grass that you make those shifts and turn them into habits.
“Like anything, it's not an overnight fix,and we'll have to work pretty hard this week and going forward.”
LATEST FROM NEW ZEALAND
Otago Produce Stunning Comeback to go Top of the NPC
By Noah Leaupeptele at Forsyth Barr Stadium
Otago produced a stunning second-half comeback to edge Auckland 45-42 in a thrilling NPC clash at Forsyth Barr Stadium, with Cameron Millar kicking a last-gasp penalty to steal the victory.
Auckland looked in control for much of the opening half, racing into a 14-point lead as Cody Vai and James Arscott crossed inside the opening quarter.
Xavi Taele then added a third before Gary Basson extended the advantage to 28-14.
Otago refused to let the visitors pull away, with Nic Souchon and Joseva Tamani finding the line before Sam Nemec-Vial intercepted an Auckland attack and raced 50 metres to score just before halftime, leaving Auckland ahead 28-21 at the break.
The hosts came out firing after halftime, with Finn Hurley and captain Christian Lio-Willie turning the game around before Moana Takataka's powerful maul try restored Otago's lead at 40-35.
Auckland responded through Taele and Vai, the latter scoring his second try with 10 minutes remaining to level the scores at 42-42.
Just when it looked like the game would end in a draw, Auckland were penalised for offside in the final minute.
Millar stepped up from 36 metres and calmly slotted the winning penalty to send Otago to the top of the NPC standings.
Match scorers
Otago: 45
Tries: 6 — Souchon 20', Tamani 32', Nemec-Vial 40', Hurley 47', Lio-Willie 52', Takataka 60'
Conversions: 6 — Millar 21', 33', 40', 48', 52', 61'
Penalties: 1 — Millar 80+2'
Drop goals: 0
Auckland — 42
Tries: 6 — Vai 13', Arscott 16', Taele 29', Basson 36', Taele 56', Vai 71'
Conversions: 6 — Perofeta 14', 17', 30', 37', 57', 72'
Penalties: 0
Drop goals: 0
Halftime: 21-28
5 Things you Missed from Dunedin
Perofeta: The ultimate facilitator
Stephen Perofeta was at the heart of almost everything Auckland did well, repeatedly finding gaps in the Otago defence and putting his outside backs into dangerous positions.
The Auckland first five had a hand in several of his side's tries and consistently looked to create opportunities for the likes of Cody Vai and Xavi Taele.
He also finished the night perfect from the tee, converting all six of his attempts. It was an outstanding individual display from Perofeta, even if Auckland ultimately couldn't turn his influence into victory.
Auckland's future looks bright
For all the frustration surrounding Auckland's season, there were plenty of reasons for optimism.
Vai was a constant threat on the wing, scoring twice and causing Otago problems whenever he found space. Taele added two tries of his own and repeatedly threatened with powerful carries.
This was also Perofeta's final game in New Zealand rugby before heading to Japan, and his farewell performance underlined just how much Auckland will miss his experience.
But the talent around him suggests this young Auckland side has a bright future once they learn to close out the games their ability earns them.
Otago's 'globetrotter' rugby
Otago once again showed why their attacking style is so entertaining, with the hosts constantly looking to keep the ball alive through offloads, looping runs and ambitious passes.
At times, it produced spectacular results, including the sequence that led to Tamani's first-half try and the set-piece play that eventually put Takataka over after halftime.
But the risk came with a price. Otago repeatedly gave Auckland opportunities through handling errors and loose passes, allowing the visitors to punish them for their ambition.
They will happily take the result, but the coaching staff will know there were moments when their attacking freedom almost cost them the game.
Cam Millar calls game
With the scores tied at 42-42 and the clock running into the game's final minutes, the pressure fell on Otago fly-half Cameron Millar.
His first opportunity came when he attempted a drop goal under advantage, only to see it drift wide. Auckland were then penalised for offside, handing Millar another chance from 36 metres out.
This time there was no mistake. The kick sailed through the posts to complete a dramatic victory and send Forsyth Barr into a roar.
Millar's goal also capped a perfect evening from the tee, with the first five converting all six of his earlier attempts.
Otago now build towards playoff footy
The victory could prove significant for Otago as they enter the business end of the NPC campaign.
The win moves them to the top of the standings on 37 points and represents an important response after last week's disappointment. They now look to be in a strong position for a home quarter-final, although several sides remain capable of overtaking them.
More importantly, Otago showed they can win matches in different ways. They were second best for large periods of the first half, but responded strongly after the break before holding their nerve in a frantic finish.
If they can combine that resilience with the attacking flair that has made them one of the competition's most entertaining sides, Otago will be a dangerous proposition come playoff time.
Post-Match Reactions
Speaking after the match, Otago captain Christian Lio-Willie admitted his side had to dig deep to survive a relentless Auckland side playing their final game of the season.
"That was a tough one. Auckland, that was their last game, and they were throwing everything at us," Lio-Willie said.
"We didn't absorb it too well in that first half, but full credit to the boys for just digging deep. We know that was our point of difference at the beginning of the season, and we showed that tonight."
On Millar's match-winning penalty, Lio-Willie had no doubts about his fly-half's composure under pressure.
"I call him Mr Cowboy. It's not his first rodeo," the captain said. "He's done it before, and I always trust him 100%. We're gifted with a guy like that who can kick like that."
Asked about areas to tidy up ahead of the playoffs, Lio-Willie acknowledged the work still to be done.
"There's a lot of things we can just tidy up that we'll look back and review," he said. "It's going to be a massive weapon for us to keep going forward."
For Auckland, outgoing first five Stephen Perofeta reflected on what has been a recurring theme throughout the season, despite the individual talent on show.
"It's been the story of our season. We'll score two tries, score a try, and then just let teams back in," Perofeta said.
"We're at our worst at times when we make mistakes and let teams back into the game. To get a complete game is the goal, and I'm sure the boys will keep taking steps forward."
In his final appearance in New Zealand rugby before departing for Japan, Perofeta was asked about the potential of the young Auckland squad he leaves behind.
"I see talent. I see bucket loads of talent in our group, but we're at times lacking effort and game smarts," he said.
"That'll come with experience. I'm forever grateful that I was a part of this team and was able to play with such talent. I think there's a bright future ahead of them when they decide to really grab it by the horns."
Perofeta closed with a message to his family, thanking them for their support throughout his career.
"Thank you for being there with me throughout sport and ongoing, through thick and thin. In times of injury, picking me up, and in the highs too," he said.
I’ve kept the wording essentially unchanged and focused on paragraphing, headings and readability.
