💔 “I’M GOING TO MISS HIM SO MUCH…” Scott Barrett moved fans when he officially confirmed he will be leaving the Crusaders this year. Ending a journey full of memories, the New Zealand captain couldn’t hide his emotions when talking about his time with the team. In particular, Barrett paid deep gratitude to one and only teammate – someone who was always there to encourage, motivate, and help him overcome the most difficult periods of his career. According to Barrett, without that person’s companionship, things might have been very different… Who is that special teammate? Find out in the comments below! 👇
Scott Barrett has confirmed that 2026 will mark the end of his remarkable journey with the Crusaders, bringing the curtain down on one of the most successful and emotional chapters of his professional rugby career. After more than a decade wearing the famous red and black jersey, the All Blacks captain acknowledged that saying goodbye to the club that shaped him into one of the world’s finest locks has been far more difficult than he ever imagined.
While Barrett has remained focused on his recovery from injury and his ambitions with New Zealand, the realization that this chapter is nearing its conclusion has filled him with both gratitude and emotion. His departure comes during a period of significant change for the Crusaders, with several senior figures also moving on as the club prepares for a new generation of leaders.
Reflecting on his years in Christchurch, Barrett admitted that the memories extend far beyond championships, trophies, and unforgettable victories. The friendships built inside the changing room have become the foundation of his rugby career, and those relationships are what he believes will remain with him forever. Throughout countless training sessions, exhausting travel schedules, heartbreaking defeats, and glorious triumphs, Barrett found himself surrounded by teammates who constantly challenged him to become a better player and an even better person.
For someone who has spent nearly his entire professional career at one club, leaving behind that environment is not simply about changing teams—it is about leaving behind a second family.
Speaking with visible emotion, Barrett acknowledged that there is one teammate he knows he will miss more than anyone else. According to the veteran lock, this teammate was always there during the toughest moments, offering encouragement when injuries threatened his progress, lifting his spirits after disappointing performances, and reminding him why he fell in love with rugby in the first place. Barrett explained that everyone notices the celebrations after victories, but very few people see the conversations that happen behind closed doors after difficult losses.
It was during those moments that this teammate consistently stood beside him, providing reassurance when confidence was fading and helping him rediscover his focus.
That special teammate is none other than fellow Crusaders and All Blacks veteran Codie Taylor. Barrett praised Taylor not only as one of the world’s finest hookers but also as one of the most selfless individuals he has ever shared a field with. The pair have spent well over a decade playing together for both the Crusaders and New Zealand, forming a partnership built on complete trust and mutual respect. Their careers have followed remarkably similar paths, winning multiple Super Rugby titles together while becoming senior leaders within the All Blacks setup.
Barrett believes that Taylor’s influence has often gone unnoticed because much of what he contributes happens away from television cameras.
Barrett revealed that during periods when injuries left him frustrated and unable to contribute on the field, Taylor never allowed negativity to take control. Whether it was a short conversation after rehabilitation, words of encouragement before another difficult recovery session, or simply sharing a laugh to ease the pressure, Taylor understood exactly what Barrett needed at the right moment. Those seemingly ordinary interactions became invaluable during some of the most demanding periods of Barrett’s career. Looking back now, Barrett believes those moments were every bit as important as the matches they won together.
The connection between Barrett and Taylor has been strengthened by the fact that both players have dedicated the majority of their professional careers to the Crusaders. Rather than pursuing opportunities overseas during their peak years, they chose to continue building the club’s culture while representing New Zealand at the highest level. Their loyalty helped preserve the standards established by previous Crusaders legends, ensuring that younger players entered an environment where humility, discipline, and relentless work ethic remained non-negotiable. That shared commitment created a bond that extended well beyond rugby itself.
Barrett admitted that every successful team needs players capable of inspiring others through actions instead of words, and he believes Taylor embodies exactly that quality. While some leaders motivate through passionate speeches, Taylor has always preferred to lead by example. His professionalism during training, willingness to mentor younger teammates, and consistency under pressure have earned enormous respect throughout the Crusaders organization. Barrett said watching Taylor prepare every single week motivated him to maintain the same standards, regardless of injuries, fatigue, or external expectations.
The timing of Barrett’s farewell is especially emotional because the Crusaders are entering a period of transition. The club has already confirmed major leadership changes, while several experienced players are preparing for new opportunities elsewhere. Even as fresh talent emerges through the academy and younger stars begin establishing themselves in Super Rugby, the departure of long-serving veterans signals the end of one of the franchise’s most memorable eras. Barrett acknowledged that change is a natural part of professional sport, but accepting that reality has not made saying goodbye any easier.
Although Barrett’s immediate focus remains recovering from back surgery and returning to full fitness for New Zealand, he emphasized that the memories created with teammates like Codie Taylor will stay with him forever. Winning championships was undoubtedly special, but the friendships forged through years of sacrifice, hard work, and shared ambition ultimately became the greatest reward. Barrett believes supporters often remember the trophies, yet players remember the people who helped them survive the difficult days when success felt far away.
As tributes continue pouring in from supporters across New Zealand, Barrett’s comments have reminded fans that elite sport is ultimately about relationships as much as results. Behind every championship-winning team are friendships built through adversity, and few partnerships have represented that better than Barrett and Taylor. Their journey together has inspired countless young rugby players, demonstrating that true leadership is measured not only by performances on match day but also by the ability to support teammates when no one else is watching.
When Scott Barrett finally walks away from the Crusaders later this year, he will leave behind an extraordinary legacy of commitment, resilience, and excellence. Yet if his own words are anything to go by, the greatest part of that legacy will not be the medals or the records. Instead, it will be the lifelong friendships created along the way, especially with Codie Taylor—the teammate who never stopped believing in him, stood beside him during every challenge, and helped shape the player and leader the rugby world has come to admire.
For Barrett, that bond will remain one of the defining memories of his unforgettable Crusaders career, proving that sometimes the most valuable victories happen far away from the scoreboard.
