How Clark Laidlaw motivated Jordie Barrett to take Leinster sabbatical

68-Test All Black midfielder Jordie Barrett has been playing his rugby in Ireland for this year’s United Rugby Championship season, after taking up a season-long sabbatical from his New Zealand Rugby contract.

Barrett will be eligible and back for the All Blacks campaign in 2025 if selected by Scott Robertson, after enjoying a successful season personally for Leinster, despite his team being knocked out in the semi-finals of the European Champions Cup by Northampton.

Amongst all of the conversations around rugby circles about Barrett’s selection for the All Blacks in 2025, and whether the midfielder should be immediately back into Robertson’s starting lineup, Barrett has been working hard to be in the best shape possible.

“I’m in a great spot physically at the moment, touch wood, all things go well, I turn up back to New Zealand after a good final series and hit the ground running, so I’m bloody excited,” Barrett told Sport Nation’s Beaver and Guy radio show.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s been great, the staff and the coaches here at Leinster have been outstanding and managing my workload at different times of the year.

“Like throughout the Six Nations, I had a period where I didn’t play rugby for eight or nine weeks, but I was in training each week.”

Barrett’s decision to play at Leinster for a season may have been partly influenced by his Hurricanes coach, Clark Laidlaw, whose words motivated him to take the sabbatical.

“I was sitting here with my best wishes from Avan Lee at the Hurricanes and Clark Laidlaw, and I still remember Clark always said to me, save your body for what, I’m 28 and you want to go test yourself against some of the best players in the world.”

When asked about whether Barrett would encourage another New Zealand player to go overseas to Ireland to take up a sabbatical, he admits that his experience has left a good impression on him.

“For sure, and I can’t speak on other people’s experiences if they go into different clubs and different competitions, but I can only speak honestly on the year I’ve had and my experiences, and it’s been glowing and all positive.

“So look, if people ask me how Leinster was, they can get two ticks from me, but other players in different positions may not have the same experience.”

Although Barrett has been away from the game in New Zealand, he has been keeping a keen eye on the competition down under and still thinks the Super Rugby Pacific product is in a good place.

“Super Rugby is a great competition, I can’t wait to get back in New Zealand and hopefully play for the All Blacks going forward.

“So it’s been a refreshing change, a great change, but we’ve also got a great competition at home that I’ve been flicking on most mornings in the weekend, and it’s been an intriguing watch.

“The game is not lost in New Zealand, it’s a great product.”

Barrett tells Guy Heveldt from Sport Nation that he’s had some conversations with the current All Blacks coaching staff around his form in Ireland, which according to Barrett, have been positive.

“Yeah, little bits and pieces, received some nice reassuring texts from some of the coaches, and they’ve obviously been watching a few games.

“So it’s just good to check in with them, I’ve spoken to a couple of them at length on the phone about various systems and what we could potentially benefit from going forward in New Zealand.

“It’s been a great balance there, some have left me to my devices and let me play, which is perfectly sound too, it’s all been positive.”

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Barrett says he will likely be back in New Zealand the week of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific final, in time to be selected in Robertson’s squad for the France series in early July.

“If all things are going well if we make the URC final up here on the 14th, I’ll fly home on the 19th of June, and if I’m lucky enough to be fit, healthy, and selected, hopefully, I’m in camp for the first Test to play the French, hopefully earn my way back into the side.”