All Blacks lock Scott Barrett targets return from foot injury via Taranaki in Mitre 10 Cup

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Scott Barrett missed of all of Super Rugby Aotearoa because of a foot injury. Picture: STUFF SPORTS

All Blacks lock Scott Barrett could return from a serious foot injury as early as next month and potentially make his debut for Taranaki in the Mitre 10 Cup.

Crusaders captain Barrett missed all of Super Rugby Aotearoa, which his side won for a fourth successive title, after damaging the plantar fascia ligament in his foot in an inter-squad match on June 13.

The 26-year-old required surgery for an injury that affects the tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes, but is on the road to recovery after not playing since the Covid-19 pandemic shut down the original Super Rugby competition in March.

Ian Foster named his first squad as All Blacks coach last Sunday and Barrett was not considered, but a return via the Mitre 10 Cup in October could mean the towering Taranaki lock is in the frame for the All Blacks, subject to there being test rugby before the end of the year.

A Taranaki spokesperson said Barrett was targeting a comeback for the Mitre 10 Cup and could return to play in four to five weeks.

Foster said Barrett could be “straight back” in the mix for the All Blacks and his presence would boost an inexperienced second row featuring uncapped locks Quinten Strange and Tupou Vaa’i.

However, the severity of Barrett’s foot injury means an instant return to the test arena seems unlikely. An outing first with Taranaki would be the most logical move in the final stages of his recovery. Barrett’s last provincial appearance was for Canterbury in 2016, the year of his test debut.

The 36-test second rower has not represented his home province after aligning with the amber and blacks in 2017, joining brothers Beauden and Jordie, who all grew up on their South Taranaki farm in Pungarehu, with father Kevin a former stalwart for Taranaki.