All Blacks star Jordie Barrett has announced a sabbatical to play with Irish club Leinster at year’s end, while committing his future to New Zealand past the 2027 World Cup.
Centre Barrett, 27, will join up with the Dublin-based powerhouse club for their 2024-25 season.
His deal to play in Ireland follows a similar move by his father, Kevin, who took the Barretts to the Emerald Isle to play for the Athlone-based Buccaneers in 2000.
“It’s a special place for the Barrett family,” Jordie Barrett said.
“We’ve got so many great family connections in Oldcastle, in County Meath and throughout Dublin.
“To have an opportunity to go back and meet some family and friends and connections that were made twenty years ago is pretty cool.”
All Blacks star Jordie Barrett has signed a short-term deal with Leinster. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The versatile back will make the move after the All Blacks’ northern tour, which includes Tests against England, Ireland, France and Italy.
He will skip Super Rugby in 2025 to make the move, leaving the Hurricanes, who are currently unbeaten on top of the 2024 standings.
“The Hurricanes are sending me off with their best wishes and are very excited which is awesome,” he said.
Barrett is the latest All Black star to take time away from the domestic game following New Zealand’s gutting one-point loss in the 2023 World Cup final.
While Barrett now has a deal to 2028, which takes in All Blacks, Hurricanes and home province Taranaki duties, others have chosen to move on.
Veterans Dane Coles, Brodie Retallick, Aaron Smith and Sam Whitelock have all retired – either completely or internationally – while Richie Mo’unga, Shannon Frizell, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Nepo Laulala have taken up club contracts abroard.
All Blacks stars Beauden and Jordie Barrett, Richie Mo’unga and Damian McKenzie will have all spent time away from New Zealand in a sign of the times. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett have Japanese deals this year, but like Jordie Barrett, have re-signed with NZ Rugby to return in an All Blacks shirt.
In a highly controversial move, NZ Rugby had already announced coach Ian Foster would be replaced by Scott Robertson – a seven-time champion coach of the Crusaders – prior to the 2023 World Cup.
Robertson will lead the All Blacks for the first time in July, when England visit for a two-Test series.
Armadillo
Roar Rookie
No, it was in relation to the super rugby multi-week tours of South Africa. You can google it or read the article. https://www.rugbydump.com/news/all-blacks-star-laments-lack-of-south-african-teams-in-super-rugby/
FunBus
Roar Rookie
...and the only RWC winner in the current Crusaders squad is 36 year old Owen Franks, isn't it?
FunBus
Roar Rookie
You mean like the Wallabies?
HenryHoneyBalls
Roar Rookie
Bit of a silly bitter response, not much value in responding to that.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
whatever…not sure why you are here then. The fact that teams like Leinster, La Rochelle and Toulouse have not developed any world cup winners may tell a different story, but you stay with your little fairy tale.
HenryHoneyBalls
Roar Rookie
What it does though is demonstrate that super rugby isnt that strong at the moment and thereby Im confident the likes of Leinster, La Rochelle and Toulouse would generally be of a higher standard to the likes of the Blues and the Hurricanes. Also the fact that the Crusaders have dominated super rugby for years doesnt point to a very competitive tournament.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
The Hurricanes and the Blues the best sides this year are no way near the level the Crusaders were at when they were at their best. 100% correct, therefore claiming a win over the Crusaders (by Munster) when they are clearly nowhere near their best doesn't help your argument that Leinster are a great team. Crusaders have historically been a very successful club, but this years team aren't a shadow of their past selves.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
You do know Jacko, who I was replying to, is a Kiwi, right? The ABs have dominated rugby for the last decade? How do you work that one out? They certainly dominated rugby from about 2009-2015. But, that was a while back.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Yes, my 'desperate need to be relevant' manifests itself as posting on an Aussie rugby site. I also post on Welsh, English, Kiwi and general sites occasionally. I suppose it could be a psychological problem or, alternatively, I could just be interested in rugby. The insecure always get wound up when 'outsiders' offer an opinion (no offence).
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
Add to that, everyone I know and have listened to who has toured SA have absolutely loved it. They are next level in their hospitality and generosity off the field. And not only that they have great stadiums in which to play rugby. It is a huge privilege for any touring player to walk out onto hallowed ground and play in SA, let alone the way in which they are treated and looked after off the field. I personally think they lead the world in this aspect… it is hard rugby but an absolute pleasure and joy to get the opportunity to tour.
HenryHoneyBalls
Roar Rookie
Yes I have but regardless of that the Crusaders are the only side to have won anything in super rugby in the last 7 years, they won it last year and have won almost half of all titles, the next best is three. The Hurricanes and the Blues the best sides this year are no way near the level the Crusaders were at when they were at their best.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
Which 24 years was that? Was that the last 20 years since a NH team one in the only World Cup they have ever won… or have you confused the Wallabies for the ABs, but I don’t think Australia has ever made such comments. The ABs have dominated World rugby for more than a decade something no other team in the world has achieved in modern times. I’m confused….
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
There is no before and after… that is you just trying too hard. Mostly the articles on here are about SR and tests played by the Wallabies and AB’s. So what would you call it, a site reporting on NH rugby? I live in this part of the world and follow Australian rugby and go to matches and follow the sport down here. People like you come here to share your wonderful insights based on some desperate need to be relevant. If you care to look at CPM’s comments they are all the same bs, which is why I commented, but as you were….
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
That is very true. Apart from when you let Susie loose. But I miss the AB tours to SA and vice versa. Those days seem well lost now. 1996 was a particularly good vintage and sadly the end of an era.
Seagull
Roar Rookie
Would that be a wHimper Disco spud ?
Seagull
Roar Rookie
They have not claimed to be best in UK probably because they are not from the UK.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
You’re talking about the Leagues. The comparable comp to the SRP is the European Cup. I watch both (the time difference means I can watch both on the same day). I can only go on what I’ve seen this season, because SRP coverage has been patchy in the U.K. the last few years (probably contractual reasons). The standard of the European Cup has been consistently higher. It’s not surprising. Few of the world’s very top players play in the SRP any more.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
But, but, but, I was continually told the ABs were the best team in the world throughout their 24 year run of not winning the RWC. I’m confused…
FunBus
Roar Rookie
But, you can offer some informed opinion. If a ‘club team’ is virtually as strong as the international side ranked 2nd in the world, it’s not too much of a leap, is it?
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Oh, it’s a NZ website as well is it? I love the way the NZ bit comes before the Aussie bit. If you just want to hear how every AB is a Demi-God who can do no wrong, why not simply stick to ‘Stuff.’