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89-Test All Black lock Scott Barrett assessed the recent four-Test series between the Springboks and All black peopleproviding an insight into how difficult it is to retain back-to-back world champions.
Barrett has had to watch the Test series from afar, spending much of the rehabilitation of a bulging disc in his back since the start of the 2026 season.
The former All Blacks captain took to the field for the first time in the 2026 season on Sunday for Taranaki against Hawke’s Bay, after missing the whole Super Rugby Pacific campaign with the Crusaders.
Experienced lock, talk to Millsy & Guy he Sports Nationshared his view of the All Blacks vs. Springboks.
“Oh yes, it is really easy when you are sit down he the couch at home, and you are a a fan. You I can say, yes, push heavier, guys. But I think about it it is no to you are in that boiler and up against the Springboks and Ox Security and Wilco Louw, who are they like walking tanks,” Barrett said Sports Nation.
“Honestly, it is a seriously front row, and it is a big part of theirs the game. That sort of feeds theirs Psyche and theirs DNA. So the team will to be better for that.
“Ace a lot as that would to have hurt getting a couple of pushover is trying and that sort of thing, the team would to have learned of those experiences, and It’s me no 100% for sure what that was.”
Barrett added that he caught up with All Blacks assistant coach Neil Barnes in Taranaki after the tour, explaining he was “certainly not a happy camper”.
“But I think about it that the last one test was pleasant that they actually held theirs own in the scrum, and the the game was actually a a little bit more competitive. But when you are giving away a Penalty almost each one time they put the ball, and it is sort of quite a bit difficult that stay competitive in the Test match when you are only giving away easy territory up the park.
“I hit into Neil Barnes in around New Plymouth and the Taranaki bulls, and he certainly he wasn’t a happy camper with the way that the sort of pack was it goes in conditions of the set a piece at times.
“But yes, I think about it they will to be I’m looking for that bounce off and keep the Bledisloe Cup it goes forward.”
Despite the 3-1 series loss, Barrett thinks the coaching staff would be pleased with the depth they’ve built.
“Like, that series was quite a bit brutally and intensive: four Test matches against africa, tthree hours away, like they are a quite a bit sharp team, and tested us in areas that we need that get better in.
“I I think about it equally, there were a a lot of positive that Everything Black people took away of the tour with bleeding new players in and probably is growing in depth. I think about it that was something that the coaching group would to have was quite a bit happy with, despite going down.”
