Considering the talent that is already in their squad, throwing Jordie Barrett into the mix makes for a very exciting prospect for Leinster fans ahead of next season.
The All Blacks star has been one of the best players in world rugby for a number of years now, having 57 New Zealand caps to his name since making his debut in 2017. This will also be the first time that he has played his club rugby outside of his home country, so it will be fantastic to see him playing in the URC and Champions Cup.
While some are not overly thrilled by the prospect of Barrett joining Leinster, it seems those at his current club are very happy with the arrangement.
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Hurricanes were keen for Jordie Barrett to choose Leinster move
Jordie Barrett will only spend six months or so with Leinster, joining in December of this year before leaving at the end of the 2024/25 season. He has also signed a new deal with Hurricanes that will keep him in New Zealand until at least 2028, although there was a clause inserted that would allow him to take an overseas sabbatical.
The player would turn down more lucrative offers from Japan in order to move to Ireland, something his club were only too happy with.
Speaking on Newstalk ZB, Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee said that his side were delighted to see Jordie Barrett move to Leinster instead of Japan.
There was discussion whether it was Japan or Leinster. If anything, the coach and myself, and the GM were keen for him to go to Leinster, to learn something new, in terms of how they play and how they prepare etc.
That’s where Jordie wanted to go as well rather than Japan, so we fully support his decision.
Myself, having lived in Dublin for 10 years, I’m quite happy about it. He’s going to a great place. Leinster is a great set-up and he’ll do super well over there and love the environment, the crowds they get, and so forth.
It’ll be great for him but I also think it’ll be great for Leinster, they’re getting a world-class player. From our perspective, he’s going to get a break from New Zealand, he’s been with us since 2017, and he gets to have a bit of an OE (overseas experience) while playing a really high standard of rugby.
So, he’ll come back refreshed and raring to go...
The Irish midfield is the Leinster midfield so he’s going to be training with some top-quality players. That’s the reason he wants to go. He wants to play in that European competition.
It wasn’t about money for Jordie, he could’ve earned a lot more money in Japan but he wants to be in a really competitive competition testing himself week in, week out against the best players in the world that are up there.
It certainly sounds as though Jordie Barrett is keen to make the most of the time he spends at Leinster.
That can only be good news for the province.
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