Set to start his first Super Rugby game for the Blues since 2020 this weekend, Beauden Barrett has reflected on his concerns over being forced into retirement during his two-month battle with concussion.
Barrett will start at flyhalf for the Blues for the first time in two years in the Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Highlanders on Friday, after overcoming concussion symptoms that affected him during December and January.
In an exclusive interview with the New Zealand Herald, the All Blacks back explained that he feared the symptoms may cause him to retire.
“It was extremely challenging,” Barrett said. “The hardest thing about this one was not finding the cure. That’s the million-dollar question with a lot of these concussions. It was frustrating.
“Typically the December-January months are the festive fun times where you decompress and spend time with friends and family. I did that, but it was annoying with a headache all the time.
“I’m well aware of how concussion can lead to retirement if it doesn’t work out,” Barrett added. “Kane, my brother, had to give up his career because of it. I see plenty of good friends and teammates have done the same in the past.
“I tried to stay positive – I’m usually a very optimistic person. I was trying to find alternative ways to get on top of things, and I did that.
“It’s probably the closest I’ve been to retirement and I certainly wasn’t ready for it. I’m only 30, and I’ve still got plenty to give. Being back fit and healthy, I’m grateful to be here now and hopefully contribute well to the Blues this season.”
Barrett made his first appearance of the season off the bench in the 24-22 win over the Chiefs this past Saturday and admitted that he was really nervous when he got on to the field.
“There was a lot of doubt. Anyone returning from injury has that. It’s something you have to work through and it gets better with time, training and playing. That game on the weekend almost felt like a debut. It felt so foreign because it was the first time in a while I was back in a Blues jersey.
“I had that cloud of ‘Am I going to return from this concussion – or is this it?’. So, it’s a relief to be back. I’m loving competing again and being back playing footy in New Zealand domestically.”
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