All Blacks forwards Scott Barrett and Codie Taylor re-sign with New Zealand until 2027 World Cup
Scott Barrett is set to play his third World Cup for New Zealand
©Steve Haag
All Blacks forwards Scott Barrett and Codie Taylor have recommitted their future with New Zealand Rugby and Canterbury Crusaders after signing a new contract until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Taylor made his professional rugby debut with Canterbury in 2012 with his first game for Crusaders coming a year later. He was part of the New Zealand Under 20 team that won the Junior World Cup in 2011 before making on his Test debut in 2015.
He was part of the All Blacks side that clinched the World Cup in 2015 and represented them in the 2019 and 2023 editions as well.
"Having the opportunity to play through another World Cup cycle and pull on the jerseys I love for a few more years is awesome," said the 85-test forward.
"I'm feeling rejuvenated and excited about what's to come."
Meanwhile, Barrett was sidelined for most part of the ongoing season due to injury as he played just five games for Crusaders. He has been part of the Super Rugby side since 2014 and represented the All Blacks in the 2019 and 2023 World Cups where they finished at third and second respectively.
“That’s a huge driver of extending. There’s certainly a lot of pain for the last couple of World Cups, personally.
“Scars, I guess, that probably won’t go away. That’s a big driver to give myself another opportunity to go to a World Cup – if I’m playing and performing well.
“That’s a big reason why I’ve extended, and a huge motivating factor for me.”
Barrett also opened up on the possibility of a probable captaincy role with Sam Cane retiring at the end of the year.
“I guess that’s something I’d be open to,” he added. “But my focus right now is to get back on the park, if I’m going to be honest.
“It’d be a huge honour to do that, for whoever is in that position, I guess.
“Those decisions are fully on Razor. We’ve had conversations over the past five or six months around the All Black environment, and areas that are critical going forward.
“Ultimately, the decision sits with him.”
