Scott and Jordie Barrett ruled out of All Blacks test against Scotland at Murrayfield

Tuesday, 4 November 2025

Two Barrett brothers - All Blacks captain and lock Scott Barrett and midfielder Jordie - have been ruled out of the test against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Both players are set to undergo further medical reviews today which should give a clearer indication of a timeline for their return.

Head coach Scott Robertson wouldn’t be drawn on their availability for next week’s test against England, but it’s fair to say he will be sweating on Jordie’s scan results.

In addition to a high ankle sprain, the midfielder hurt his knee, leaving his status for the rest of the tour in doubt.

Scott arrived in Edinburgh with a dozen stitches in a leg wound after a painful gash below the knee forced him to retire in the opening minutes of the test against Ireland at Soldier Field on Sunday.

Robertson confirmed the All Blacks had brought in Josh Beehre from the All Blacks XV as additional lock training cover. Beehre started in the second row in the All Blacks XV’s win against the Barbarians in London on Sunday.

No midfield cover has been added given the All Blacks have plenty of options in Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane.

After Barrett was hurt, centre Quinn Tupaea moved inside to No 12 and formed a midfield combination with Leicester Fainga’anuku - one Robertson could well retain against Scotland.

Speaking to New Zealand media on Tuesday morning, Tupaea said he was “gutted” the team had lost their captain and vice-captain as the All Blacks put their unbeaten record against Scotland on the line.

However, pointing to squad depth, he had no doubt they would fill the void left by the pair.

Whether that means a repeat of the Tupaea-Fainga’anuku midfield combination at Murrayfield, or if Tupaea is pushed back to centre, a position he’s relatively new to at this level, he’s comfortable.

“Twelve and 13 are not too similar, 13 you have to deal with a lot more space defensively, covering fullbacks and on the edges more. Where 12 you are looked after a little bit more by your loosies and your 10.

“So it was a challenge swapping from 12 to 13 initially because I hadn't done a lot of 13. But moving back to 12 has been seamless, I guess, I've played a lot of rugby at 12.”

Tupaea, having impressed off the bench before starring at centre in Bledisloe II in Perth, maintained he had no preference.

“I guess I've just taken every week as it's come. I came into the squad knowing the other midfielders are quality around me. I've had to work hard for my position, got an opportunity off the bench, took my opportunity there and felt like I've done the same when I've started.”

Regardless which combination Robertson opts for, he’s eager to see his side convert more opportunities on attack.

Sure, they finished strongly to dispatch Ireland in Chicago on Sunday morning and get their bid for a Grand Slam off to a winning start, but the first 60 minutes were tough on the eyes of spectators.

“We showed a lot of good attack but actually finishing those opportunities has been a real focus for us. We would have loved to have got that last try as well…we're here to play some footy and play fearless, we've just got to finish a couple more opportunities,” he said.

Tupaea said the stop-start nature of the game due to the ample whistle made it difficult to get into a groove, but conceded the All Blacks were also to blame, including a faltering lineout.

“Our timing on things,” Tupaea said, using the word clunky.

“Myself as well. Getting too narrow or flat on some strikes. It was tough to get that flow when we’re not all on the same page. That was a massive part of our review.”

Robertson didn’t have an update on the laceration to Scott Barrett’s leg, although assistant Tamati Ellison provided an insight on Monday.

'I think he got 12 [stitches] on the outside or 12 on the inside, or six and six,'' Ellison explained.

'To take Scooter off that quick, and doc knew pretty fast [it was a significant cut], so it's a real bummer.''

Ardie Savea will captain the All Blacks in Scott Barrett’s absence.