‘He could have earned more’ – Jordie Barrett rejected lucrative offers to join Leinster

New Zealand’s Jordie Barrett appears dejected during the Rugby World Cup 2023 final match at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Picture date: Saturday October 28, 2023.

Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee admitted that it would have been more financially beneficial for Jordie Barrett to move elsewhere, but that his heart was always set on Leinster.

The centre signed a new deal with New Zealand Rugby on Monday, which will take him past the next Rugby World Cup and to the end of 2028.

As part of that contract, Barrett has taken up a sabbatical with the Irish province and will feature in the United Rugby Championship and Investec Champions Cup from December 2024.

Going down a different route

Usually, All Blacks tend to take up options in Japan, with Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea among those to currently be doing that, but the 27-year-old is going on a slightly different path.

“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,” The ‘Canes CEO told Newstalk ZB.

“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.”

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While Barrett is a classy operator, he will also get a chance to play alongside a few of them too with Ireland stars Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose part of their squad.

“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,” Lee said.

“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 sin the world that are up there.

“I think you’ve got to admire that because he could’ve taken a big contract in Japan but he wants to test himself and he wants to play European rugby, so I say good on him.”

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Return to the Hurricanes

After his stint in Ireland, Barrett will head back to New Zealand and resume his career with the Hurricanes and remain there until 2028 at the very least.

They have enjoyed a fine start to the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, winning all seven of their matches so far this season, and Lee is delighted that the centre is staying.

“It’s important, the team’s been building over a couple of years and I think we’re just starting to realise our potential,” he said.

“We’ve got a couple of guys who are behind Jordie at the moment in the squad in his position, we’re really positive about them and confident that they will be able to play really well for us while Jordie is away but also when he gets back.

“We’re excited, he’s a great man and we’re just really happy he’s sticking around.”