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All Blacks duo hint at potential cross-code moves to NRL and AFL
All Blacks stars Will Jordan and Jordie Barrett have revealed they are eager to explore opportunities in rival codes rugby league and Australian football.
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Both players were standouts for the All Blacks this season, as reflected by their nominations for All Blacks Player of the Year at the upcoming New Zealand Rugby Awards.
Jordan enjoyed a particularly successful year as he won World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year award and selection in World Rugby’s Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year after crossing for 15 tries, the second-most scored by any player in a single international season.
As such, the 23-year-old has made a name for himself as one of the hottest properties in the sport, and he may look to continue his rapid development by spending some in another sport in Australia.
Speaking on the What A Lad podcast, hosted by former Hurricanes fullback James Marshall, Jordan said that while he has no serious intention of crossing codes, he is interested by the prospect of spending a pre-season training with an AFL club.
The 13-test international said the motive behind such a switch would be to help improve his skillset as an outside back, a position of which he sees plenty of similarities with in Australian football.
Jordan described the AFL as “a cool game to watch” and added that he and Barrett have floated the idea of honing their craft in an Australian football environment in the lead-up to a rugby union campaign.
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“The one sport, actually, where I would like to do a bit of pre-season or just get into the environment would be AFL,” Jordan told What A Lad.
“I’ve always found that a cool game to watch, and I think a lot of the stuff they do with kicking and the high-ball work and that would have quite a lot of correlation with a back three player, so that’s something that Jordie and I have actually talked about a little bit.
“It’d be cool to be able to head into one of their environments and pick up a few things that they do with those skill sets because there probably are similarities between that and players in the back three or playing 10.”
In saying that, Jordan downplayed the prospect of a full-fledged switch to the AFL with no prior playing experience in Australian football.
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“I don’t know if it ever would actually happen going to do a season. It would be a pretty big plunge,” he said.
Former All Blacks star Ngani Laumape has gone on record saying that he intends to switch international allegiance from New Zealand to Tonga. #AllBlacks #IkaleTahi https://t.co/BjmwrjnGke
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 11, 2021
“I wouldn’t say it’s something that would realistically happen, but, like I say, the opportunity to, maybe just for a week or two, go and train with them would be something that would be fun. I actually do seriously enjoy watching AFL. I reckon it’s a cool sport.”
In a separate What A Lad episode, Barrett said there was “no chance” that he would commit himself to an AFL move, but echoed Jordan’s sentiments that he would be keen to spend some time learning the fundamentals of the sport at an elite level.
“No chance. I’m not running around a circle pitch all day,” Barrett said of the possibility of becoming an AFL player.
“Mind you, I actually love the game of AFL, too. I sat there last year when I was at the cricket, I think the AFL guys were in their pre-season, sort of training and whatnot. It’d be good to go over there and learn how to kick a ball properly for a couple of weeks.”
However, while Barrett categorically ruled out any notion of a code-switch to the AFL, he laid bare his desire to one day play rugby league.
The 24-year-old, who had a stellar All Blacks season where he established himself as New Zealand’s first-choice fullback, revealed he “might” try his hand at rugby league for a season after developing an interest in the NRL as a spectator.
“To be honest, every off-season or every time I’m sitting there watching a rugby league game, I think, ‘I’d love to go over there and play some league’,” Barrett told What A Lad.
“Just for a season, and who knows? I might. Like I said before, it crosses my mind a lot. I’m not sure what position I’d play. I’d love to just go over there and just give it a crack. Who knows?”
Although he is a fullback who can cover multiple other backline positions in rugby union, the 36-test international fancies himself as a five-eighth in rugby league due to the kicking responsibilities and defensive duties associated with the position.
Just as Damian McKenzie says he’s thinking of changing positions, Jordie Barrett comes out and says he’s also thinking of making a switch ? #AllBlackshttps://t.co/1O5wARk1yi
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 10, 2021
“I wouldn’t mind kicking the skin a few times on the fourth or fifth tackle, a few 40/20s, putting up some floater bombs, and just defending in the frontline, trying to put some shots on. You’re allowed to be a grub in that game, so I’d love it,” Barrett said.
The same can’t be said for Jordan, as he told What A Lad that, with limited exposure to the sport, a move to rugby league is unlikely.
“In terms of a serious change, not really. I’ve watched the NRL a little bit. Growing up, I never played league or anything like that,” Jordan said.
“It’s not that big in the South Island, or Christchurch, probably as much as it is up north, so I never really played league.
“Growing up, I watched the Warriors play and stuff, and I watch the NRL kind of casually a bit now, but it’s never something that’s kind of popped up for me.”
Any chance of Barrett moving to the NRL may not come for a few years yet, though, as he said that he is likely to extend his stay with the Hurricanes when he comes off-contract with New Zealand Rugby at the end of next year.
“With my next contract, I’d like to sign a longer one and lock in New Zealand for a lot longer. I’m enjoying my time at the Hurricanes,” Barrett told What A Lad as he suggested a potential sabbatical deal abroad could also be in the offing.
“Who knows, I might try and go away for a stint somewhere in between. Hopefully I can tie that into a contract somewhere. Who knows, potentially I could try and dip my nose into Japan or somewhere.
“We’ll see how we go, but I’m signed in New Zealand for another year, obviously with the goal of winning the World Cup and, ideally, playing for the All Blacks, so I just want to keep moving forward.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Some dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
1 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to comments