Hurricanes CEO: Jordie Barrett 'could've earned a lot more money in Japan'
Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee has revealed more details about the contract discussions leading to Jordie Barrett’s long-term deal with New Zealand Rugby, and about the midfielder’s decision to join Leinster on a sabbatical.
Seasoned All Blacks have the ability to forgo Super Rugby Pacific duties and sign a short-term deal overseas when negotiating the terms of new contracts with New Zealand Rugby, leading to many stints in Japan, like the deals Ardie Savea and Sam Cane are currently enjoying.
Barrett however was looking for a different challenge when the opportunity arose to spread his wings. With family connections in Ireland due to his father’s stint playing for Athlone, Barrett was keen to explore a potential return to the country.
“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,” Lee 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 setup 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.”
Refreshed mentally maybe more so than physically, as Barrett joins an already powerful midfield unit at Leinster and has landed himself in the hot seat of the United Rugby Championship, joining a powerhouse club with a target on their head.
“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 continued.
“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.”
Ultimately, Barrett’s decision to stay with the Hurricanes until 2028 was a huge win for the club and the country.
“It’s important, the team’s been building over a couple of years and I think we’re just starting to realize our potential.
“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.
“So we’re excited, he’s a great man and we’re just really happy he’s sticking around.”
Waiting in the wings for the Hurricanes is one-time All Black Peter Umaga-Jensen and young gun Riley Higgins. The latter was handed the No. 12 jersey while Barrett served a three-week suspension earlier in the season, offering some insight into who might be first in line for the starting gig in 2025.
The contract is seen as a win-win for the Hurricanes, given the competitive international market in today’s game.
“I think we’ve all got to protect the value of Super Rugby and the All Black jersey. We’re never going to be able to compete on dollars, or for contracts but we want our best players playing Super Rugby and for the All Blacks as much as possible.
“But, like I said, Jordie’s been here since 2017 and he deserves some time out, it’s no different to most New Zealanders going to do a bit of an OE after school or university. I think it’s important for the player but also for the future for him coming back, it’s awesome.
“We could be sitting here now saying ‘Jordie’s gone. He’s left. He’s signed for Leinster for four years.’ But, he’s going there for six months, he’ll miss one Super Rugby season, come back for ’26, ’27 and ’28. So, we’re feeling really positive about the whole thing.
“Would we prefer to have Jordie here the whole time? Sure. But, it’s important for him and he’s got the ability to do it. He’s gone about it 100 per cent the right way, kept us informed the whole time, incredibly respectful and humble, so can’t fault the way he’s done it.”
Barrett’s absence is no doubt a blow for the Canes’ 2025 season, but Lee said you need only look as far as the current Super Rugby Pacific ladder to see how a team can deal with a key absence.
“Everyone before the season was saying the Hurricanes won’t be the same side without Ardie, yet Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose and Brad Shields might have something to say about that. They’ve gone incredibly well and I think sometimes, given an opportunity is when people flourish.
“Naturally, Ardie’s a great player and so is Jordie, but we back our whole squad.”
Comments on RugbyPass
well remember the blues had a guy called jed rowlands for a season. remember scott took his coaching team with him give him time
13 Go to commentswell maybe he needs to be introduced to darcy swain then who never got anything much and put a cheifs ands allblack player out injured and made him miss a season recovering
12 Go to commentswell maybe the match offficals should sort it out if they are worried about it and stop the clock
3 Go to commentsI totally agree. I also believe that minor injuries unless dangerous must be treared OFF the field of play and the game continue with a temp replacement if necessary.
3 Go to commentsSend the bill to McLennan.
3 Go to comments2 out of 3 were perfect. TMOs love jumping in on anything outside the law. The fact they saw nothing wrong speaks volumes. You want to see what a late blindside hit looks like, watch Kepu take out Carter in the 2015 World Cup final. Completely different to the Tah’s tackle.
12 Go to commentsverkeerde kant van die gereg lol
5 Go to commentsJust like John Plumtree at the Sharks he has had a poor start to this season’s coaching gig, but now it looks like he is starting to pull them back also having won 1 game in the first Eleven games they played. It obviously helps that 11 of his fifteen are Springbok players. But now they are starting to improve. No ways they can make it to the playoffs this year but they probably used this season as a way to figure out their game plan. One query I have and I think quite a few people have is: Are they playing better simply because of their international players are back or is it the team strategy led by Rob Penney that is starting to tick? Well I guess we wait and see. Also if it doesn't work out this season, it might be that Rob Penney is using this season as a way to organize himself for next season. Getting all his combinations sorted, his team strategies sorted and figuring out who is best is which position. Now I don't follow Super Rugby any more having now a full focus in the URC but I was surprised about the current Crusaders stats.
13 Go to commentsIf I’m a little bloke, who’s just had possession of the ball, I should expect to get cleaned up by Samipeni Finau if he’s opposite me and I do nothing to avoid him. FTFY You’ll need to rewrite the rest of your article now Hamish Bidwell. I’m not sorry for having missed reading this one. I find it hilarious it’s only the static aussie 10s, just waiting there, that are getting smashed. Move on your feet guys, haven’t you watched DMac and Mounga play for the last decade ffs. Chin up, at least your smiles should return when BB returns to SR next year and there’s more 10s to the fodder.
12 Go to commentsFinau is not leaving a lot of room for error that’s true, but he committed to 3 out of four tackles when the player had the ball so that’s all legal. (And incredibly entertaining)
12 Go to commentsHow does the size of the ‘bloke being hit’ factor into this? If you’re on the opposing team you are fair game. Is Finau the first person in history to target the first five? It seems like this is a great strategy to interrupt your opponents attack. As far as I’m aware, of the four excellent hits on Aussie first fives this year only one of them was ruled late. So if crying about legal tackles isn’t whingeing, then what is it?
12 Go to commentsThings I want to pay attention to this series. 1) Nothing against the other teams in 6 nations, but apart from Irelands loss to england, I dont feel they got tested, So I think this might be tight. 2) Rassie wants to build depth, and would rather do it before a world cup, but I am sure deep inside, he will be reminded that we have not beaten Ireland in years. 3) Will our new coaches plans be sound abd organised in time for the Ireland series? Remember our warm ups might only see our second or third string players available (When are we going to have one universal calander year?) 4) I see Ireland have moved on from Sexton, but what will Farrels plans be for SA? I am sure he will go for a full strength squad. 5) I think the test for the springboks will be the Durban game, it will be in winter, so not too hot for the Irish,no altitude, and it rains allot, might remind them of home. Loftus, if the springboks play the right game, I feel altitude like with most games before, can cause some challanges. 6) Off topic, but who is both Anxious and excited about what the Abs are coming with? A whole new coaching team and different style of play.
124 Go to commentsMost underrated player in world rugby.
2 Go to commentsHow many fans will travel to Qatar to watch these games ? because if they dont, it will be played in front of a few disinterested unknowledgeable Qataris and then just becomes media ‘content’. Thats what Test rugby will be reduced to.
1 Go to commentsSo as long as the playmaker still has the ball IN his hands, its OK. Otherwise the timing is wrong and he’s a liability. No grey line there. Thats the rule he is advocating ? Got it.
12 Go to commentsWrite them off at your peril
13 Go to commentsJust fantastic that the professional game is finally being taken to the Pacific islands. Not before time. It justifies the mere existence of Moana as a club, hopefully they can start to get some positive results too. Check out the sheer joy of the crowds in Fiji and the buzz that having a home team creates. Tonga always had (has ?) issues with their ground not complying with International rugby standards, which NZ always used as an excuse for many years not bringing the All Blacks over. Hopefully this match is the first of many. Would be great to see some tourism grow on the back of it. I once went to the Cook Islands Sevens in Rarotonga - tiny island nation but man did they turn it on. Tonga and Samoa will too given half a chance.
1 Go to commentsQuite right. Punish the time wasters. Its BS these time delays for non-injuries. The Boks have been using it for years now to slow down opposition and now its a scourge on the game. Put players like DeGroot on the sideline and restart play immediately. Watch how 5-6 min to fix your boots quickly becomes 1-2 minutes. Better still how about some personal professional management and you check the conditions/turf beforehand and get yourself better prepared. It might even help your team.
3 Go to commentsWhat drivel. Rugby as a contact sport should not be further diminished by crying over legal hard tackles. Take on the line? Be ready to take the hit. This is PC nonsense.
12 Go to commentsGregor Paul is going to be proved totally wrong. The Crusaders will get in the top 8 and are capable of winning this comp. The return of magnificent captain and player Scott Barrett on Friday was huge. There are a number of players returning and Ethan Blackadder showed huge progression in only his third game back. Christian Lio-Willie has added a new dimension , these two’s combination with Cullen Grace was fantastic. This builds depth when you have outstanding players like Tom Christie and Dom Gardiner also available. The tight five improved ten fold and this is with Tamaiti Williams and Codie Taylor being back.Others are set to return. Johnny McNicoll on his return home has been a revelation. Paul can dismiss Fridays win by the Crusaders as much as he likes and he will prove very popular in this country in doing so. But he will be proved wrong , Rob Penney and his coaching team will have the last laugh.
13 Go to comments