The Beauden Barrett 'sabbatical sweepstakes' - the ultimate landing spots for the All Black 10
It is expected that Beauden Barrett will re-sign with the NZR in a post-2019 deal which will include an added sabbatical clause to enable him to play overseas for a season.
The new fad for Southern Hemisphere players is to take stints in the Japan Top League where the geographical location is advantageous, as well as the reduced physical toll on the body.
However, if Barrett is interested in testing himself and growing as a player then Europe should be the only option. It is no longer ‘second-rate’ to Super Rugby, and in fact would arguably be superior with deeper competition in the Champions Cup.
With only one season to show his wares, the potential landing spot has to have the cash plus the supporting cast to challenge for European glory. That leaves a handful of clubs that present an ideal fit for the All Blacks first five-eighth.
In the Top 14, Racing 92, Stade Francais and Montpellier have all expressed interest in Barrett’s services, while Lyon is rumoured to have offered Barrett the largest salary in history at €1.5 million.
The top six French clubs in the Top 14 league are all guaranteed entry into the following season’s Champions Cup, making Montpellier and Stade Francais less attractive options for a 2019-20 sabbatical, who currently sit 9th and 8th respectively.
Racing 92 presents the most glamorous proposal – the Parisian club is in the midst of a golden era built on the back of Dan Carter’s signing and is sure to have the checkbook size to match Barrett’s desired purse.
They captured their first league title since 1990 in 2016 and have finished as runners-up twice in Europe in the last three years, going down to Leinster recently in May.
They have only gone from strength-to-strength, adding electric finisher Simon Zebo, who has been living on a seemingly insatiable diet of tries on the 4G Astroturf at the La Paris Defense Arena in his first season.
Scotland’s star flyhalf Finn Russell is only into the first year of his three-year deal at the club, however, the addition of Barrett would be a box-office ‘duopoly’ where both stars can share the stage.
Barrett playing at fullback could co-exist with Russell, adding another lethal dose of speed to a backfield with Zebo and Teddy Thomas that is purpose-built for the lightning fast Parisian surface. It is easy to imagine points flowing in every few minutes, with any visiting side needing to be built for high-octane play to keep up.
All Blacks captain Kieran Read is also rumoured to be likely to head to the club and the success of Carter’s move makes the destination an appealing one for Barrett, where league and European success is attainable, as well as a unique cultural experience.
Lyon seems to have the money but whether they have the supporting cast to go deep into the Champions Cup is another question. They are currently fourth in the Top 14 so it wouldn’t be out of the question.
A dark horse French destination is the current league leaders Clermont, who are just two years removed from a Top 14 title and one year removed from a European Cup final. The roster is stacked with firepower and they will surely qualify for the Champions Cup next year after missing out this year.
If money is not a decisive factor, there will be no other destination that holds a combination of romanticism and high title chances than Leinster.
The European superpower is not regularly active in the overseas player recruitment market, with the strongest nursery in Ireland churning out a surplus of pro talent. However, if concessions can be made to accommodate Barrett, he would play for the province he partly grew up in – having lived in Leinster when his family moved to Ireland in 1999, in what would be an idealistic return.
Leinster’s players have described their style of play is geared towards maximising unstructured opportunities. There is no better player in the game suited to unstructured transitions than Barrett, who has demonstrated his supernatural predatory instincts time and time again by scoring freakish tries against the run of play.
With Jonathan Sexton re-committing to the IRFU until 2021, Barrett would have to compromise again on wearing the 10 shirt, however with self-imposed rest periods for Ireland’s stars, there would be plenty of times to start at 10 during Pro14 league games.
With long-term Leinster and Irish fullback Rob Kearney already facing an uncertain future, if he departs post-World Cup, there will be a club need for a 15. Barrett could provide a stopgap solution as well as bring a profile to the club offering other commercial benefits.
With a passionate supporter base, if Barrett was to land in Dublin for a year he would be hard pressed to find more fanatical rugby fans. He would be likely welcomed with adoration that would only grow if he helped the side to another European title.
The Premiership holds two possible destinations with European hopes, but perhaps won’t be able to put together an attractive compensation package given the talent they already hold. Saracens are perennial contenders with a star-laden roster, including rival Owen Farrell.
A Barrett-Farrell axis with the rest of the Saracens cast would push for late-stage Champions Cup action.
The Champions Cup has undoubtedly been Exeter’s kryptonite over the last few seasons, with the new Premiership force struggling to make headway in the competition.
With star Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg signed, sealed and delivered for 2019 the re-tooling is underway for Rob Baxter’s side.
A marquee international 10 like Barrett would offer another dynamic focal point for the attack at Sandy Park and potentially be enough to tip Exeter’s European fortunes the other way with the arrival of Hogg.
Whether there would be enough budget available to accommodate Barrett, even on a discount, is a major question, but the pairing based on aspirations and roster quality would work.
Another Premiership option that cannot be ruled out is Harlequins – the club that struck a deal with NZR with hopes of building an official relationship which would facilitate sabbaticals for NZR contracted players. The partnership hasn’t delivered any meaningful, visible achievements yet but could see some progress during the next World Cup-cycle.
If Barrett decides that the Japanese Top League can wait, it seems that the French bidders will ultimately hold court – a high-profile All Black seems to drive irrational demand in France.
There are other teams in Europe that can offer a great rugby experience, but if it must be the Top 14, Barrett should head to Paris to join Racing 92 for his best chances of silverware without sacrificing coin.
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments