All Blacks first-five Beauden Barrett has admitted he feared for his career, after experiencing the effects of concussion over the NZ summer.
Barrett hasn't played any rugby since the All Blacks' year-end tour, where he was forced from the field with concussion in New Zealand's 29-20 defeat to Ireland in Dublin.
The 30-year-old missed the final test of 2021, a 40-25 loss to France in Paris, and has been afforded an extended break before returning to Super Rugby duties with the Blues.
In January, Barrett told Newshub he was struggling with the after effects of that concussion, making the most of his time away from rugby.
But speaking to French outlet L'Equipe, Barrett says he's only recently started to feel clear of any symptoms from the head knock, and worried it could have meant the end of his playing career.
"For two weeks, things have been much better. But throughout the off-season, I had migraines, 80 to 90 percent of the time," Barrett says.
"Today, it tends to fade, they have become rarer.
"I thought it might be the end of my career. When you feel sluggish 99 per cent of the day, trying several ways to get better, but nothing works, you assume the worst.
"And then you hear about teammates who have to end their careers because of concussions, it's more and more frequent. I thought it was my turn.
Barrett also adds that he hopes to return to Super Rugby Pacific in some capacity in round three, when the Blues meet the Chiefs.
The Blues are yet to begin their Super Rugby Pacific season, after their 2022 season opener was postponed by a COVID-19 outbreak in the Moana Pasifika camp.
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