The Wallabies’ window for Bledisloe Cup success could just be opening, with All Blacks greats Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett to join Richie Mo’unga and Ardie Savea in Japan in 2024.
What’s more, as revealed last month by The Roar, Brodie Retallick is likely to put pen to paper in the coming days and join Savea at Kobe next year.
The mass departures leave the All Blacks slightly vulnerable following this year’s World Cup in France.
All Blacks halves pairing Smith and Barrett will join World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Steve Hansen at Toyota Verblitz. It’s the same Japanese club Michael Hooper spent a season at in 2021, while Kieran Read also played there.
Their signatures mean Toyota will have the hottest halves combination in the tournament in yet another boost to the Japanese League One competition.
All Blacks playmakers Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett will both play in Japan in 2024. Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images
While Smith, 34, was always expected to head to Japan, Barrett could yet feature for the All Blacks going forward.
Barrett had been linked to a high-profile move to Racing 92 – the same glamour club in the French Top 14 Dan Carter played at following the 2015 World Cup – but after the Parisian club offered Scottish maverick Finn Russell a reduced deal, the All Blacks star cooled on the move to Europe.
It’s understood Richie Mo’unga’s three-year deal in Japan also made New Zealand Rugby think about their own long-term contract planning, with the governing body anxious of their depleting depth stocks.
The loss of Mo’unga was one thing, but the loss of Barrett – the two-time World Rugby player of the year – would have been a monumental blow to their attacking stocks.
The rate of All Blacks stars heading north is growing, with Aaron Smith (L) and Beauden Barrett (2nd R) joining Ardie Savea (C) and Richie Mounga (R) in Japan in 2024. Photo Hannah Peters/Getty Images
While the All Blacks still have livewire Damian McKenzie and an improving Stephen Perofeta, neither are out-and-out fly-half options.
McKenzie, too, has never quite been trusted to run the cutter despite his mercurial edge.
Barrett confirmed he was still in conversations with New Zealand Rugby about playing a role with the All Blacks beyond 2024, but cashed-up Japanese clubs have changed their tune about players coming in for just one year and are now viewing deals through a longer, strategic lens.
“I’m looking forward to taking up this opportunity with Toyota alongside a good friend and long-term team-mate in Aaron,” Barrett said in a New Zealand Rugby statement.
“My agent Warren Alcock is in communication and negotiation with New Zealand Rugby, the Blues and Toyota about my future beyond the Japan One 2024 season.
“I want to give myself time to ensure I make the right decision and once I gain clarity on that I will be able to give an update on what my future looks like beyond 2024.”
Blues CEO Andrew Hore added: “We have loved having Beauden at the Blues since his move north in 2020. He has signalled the door is still open for a return to rugby here in New Zealand and we would absolutely welcome him, Hannah and the kids back to the Blues whānau in the future.”
2023 will be the last year as an All Blacks player for Aaron Smith. Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Smith, who was one part of a brilliant halves combination in 2015 when he and Lima Sopoaga led the Highlanders to a brilliant Super Rugby victory over the Hurricanes in Wellington, thanked the franchise for fostering his development.
“From the time I signed my first professional contract in 2008 I’ve been living my dream,” he said.
“I have been blessed to represent my home with the Manawatū Turbos, who helped me chase my dream of being a Super Rugby player.
“I have to say a big thanks to the Highlanders for believing in me. I have done it all with that team and they have always been there for me. Thank you to every Highlanders player, staff member and fan. You have given me everything and more in the 13 years we have had together.”
Meanwhile, the Wallabies’ Bledisloe Cup fixtures have been confirmed for 2023.
After taking on the All Blacks at the MCG on July 29, Eddie Jones’ men return to Dunedin for the second and final Bledisloe Test on August 5. It will be the first Bledisloe Cup afternoon kick-off in Dunedin since 2013, with the fixture to kick off at 12:35pm AEST.
Eddie Jones recalled the Wallabies’ last win across the ditch at Matraville Sports High School on January 31, 2023 in Sydney. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
Jones was the last Wallabies coach to hold the Bledisloe Cup and his side famously recorded their most recent victory over the All Blacks in Dunedin back in 2001.
Upon his return to Australia last week, Jones said winning the Bledisloe Cup was a priority but it wasn’t the “be-all and end-all” in 2023, with all eyes on the World Cup.
“I think it’s pretty important… I remember 2001 in Dunedin when we won it, Googy (Justin Harrison) was part of that and the party we had afterwards was fantastic,” Jones responded to The Roar.
“And Steve Larkham, who is one of our Super Rugby coaches now, was brilliant on that day, the way he manipulated the space against the Kiwis.
“And that’s a big target for us because we as Australians if we can take New Zealand then we’re in a good position to take the World Cup, so we’ll certainly be prioritising that.
“But again, it won’t be the be-all and end-all because the World Cup is a major tournament, but certainly, we’ve got a home game against them in Melbourne, where we hope to have a sellout crowd which will be a great occasion.
“And we know that the last time the Australians played there, the referee made a difficult decision at the end of the game. And he’s still recovering from it.
“And Australia went close and it’s a ground, Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Australia traditionally play well. So if we can get the lead in the series and then go to Dunedin, what a fabulous place to win back the Bledisloe Cup.
“So that’s the picture in my head mate.”
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Exciting times watching the young uns isn't it Carlin?
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
I actually a bit keen on this Holtham kid from Tasman Muzzo, he looks a good young 9 to me, and of course as you say we got a few others Fakatava, Roigard and Ratima are likely looking kids. I actually like the look of a couple of our young 10s too, Millar and Kemara are a couple that perhaps may just nees a couple of years of nuturing. lol I get more excited at watching young talent coming through NPC and NPC than anything else in rugby I think.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
95 the combine package of Sr12 and 3N paid jointly. Celtic league which is now the URC couldn't even get a sponsor its first few years ever mind 3 like SR. BUT it now pays some of the bills allowing higher wages for none test players. Until SRP can provide base wages for players it wont trive but continue to collapse. URC deal is about €50m or 3m per team. That goes along way to pay wages. The Union then just needs to top up wages for key players. No one knows what SRP's value is as it is generally sold as a freebie with the RC or Oz/NZ test games.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I'd like to see TV and NAK more at 6 as they aren't big enough to be test locks. That would be good news for MSR.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Good call Danny. In hindsight you and the others who commented are right. Some good promising lock forwards coming through. 2024 is going to be some new beginnings for the All Blacks in a number of positions. I like a lot of our young 9s coming through and think someone like Cortez Ratima can offer a lot at the higher level. Cam Roigard has also developed really well and seems to have a level head.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
I would also like to see either Manaki Selby-Rickit or Pari Pari Parkinson have a big season and push for a spot. Selby-Rickit may get limited game time moving to the Chiefs with their lock stocks.
adam smith
Roar Rookie
@Brendan, your comment lacks awareness. In answer to your question: our coach is poor & so were his previous assistants & their selections. That's why recently, players have seemingly "walked back into the team".
adam smith
Roar Rookie
@Brendan, SuperRugby has never been Sanzaar's cash cow. Monies from the Tri-Nations & then the Rugby Championship paid for SuperRugby. SuperRugby has nearly always run at a loss.
adam smith
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately Leroy, a lot of truth in what you said…it's definitely not the place I grew up in.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Why don't you compare their age difference, as BB has been around longer than Richie, right back to around 2012 I think it was, & Richie only came on the scene around 2018 , I think. In fact, I was referring to this up coming season, so I don't know where you got that ' next year ' from. Nice to see your crystal ball is obviously working in saying Razor will be the AB coach next year, but TBH BB is not even in Dan's class, he's only on the same level as Richie. So try again, you've got your opinion, iv'e got mine, to which, I obviously agree with.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
As you with BB, Jacko! As I said, he to wasn't a patch on Dan Carter, who now is putting just as much back into the game as he took out. At least, in mosts opinion, we'll get to see what Razor can do in his last season with he Saders, which also includes playing class players in their preferred, & rightful positions. So now tell me where I said that the Saders are winners, & Mo'unga is the reason???? Your assumptions sound a bit delusional, Bro!!
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Even to say Razor won’t get anything out of Mo’unga, shows your dislike for them both. Mounga will be in Japan and Razor will be ABs coach. How will Razor get more from Mounga next year when they wont be anywhere near each other. Also re read what I said as not anywhere have I said BB is in the same class as Dan. He is a hell of a lot closer in quality to Dan than Mounga will ever be tho. Just look at their records muzzo. Its pretty straight forward.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
No more ridicules than your suggestion that Mounga is the reason the saders are winners Muzzo.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Where did I say that???? You're being a bit delusional in coming back with that!! So even to suggest there isn't other players on the field is a tad ridiculous.!! FFs
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep NH as there is a big difference between Te Waipounamu & the known ' Pig Island' where so many up there can't see what is going on over that stretch of water.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yep Richie and Dan were the best ever. BB close. Mounga not even worth mentioning in same company.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Just like comparing BB to Dan, Jacko, he's not in the race. But then isn't BB older than Mo'unga, & Dan has retired, so to compare either against the 'superior one ', is just nonsense. Even to say Razor won't get anything out of Mo'unga, shows your dislike for them both. This is Razor's last season with the Saders, as with Mo'unga, so can I suggest, you observe what is going to happen.....again!! Remember I'm a Landers fan, & my missus, like you, are Chiefs fans.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Sorry but lower level achievements arnt worth bothering with. My son won 4 State titles in a row but he isnt a world class player by any stretch. Maybe others won U7s thru to U11s but wernt the best players. You seem to believe that Mounga is the whole reason the Saders win titles yet they have been the most successful SR team in history with and without Mounga. Also I believe that he generally had 14 other players on the field with him or was it all him?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
But Jacko the other Richie & Dan have three, to which no other player on the planet has yet achieved. Nah Mo'unga won't carry Dan's boots as BB won't either, being he has his own boots to worry about. Just watch SR this season Bro, & take note what Razor can do, to this player.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I watch a lot of OS rugby. You clearly watch no NZ rugby. NZR didnt chase these guys you mention because they had better on the field already. Lowe, JGP were never even considered because they wernt good enough. As for AKI well he was ok but he had a guy called Nonu ahead of him. Never going to displace Nonu sorry. You are getting desperate with those names and thats because there is not one OS player NZ would desperately want in there WC squad. Look at that Lock that England so desperately chased from Wellington. He faded badly. Used and chucked out. So who would these 3 guys you mention take the place of from the ABs?