Jordie Barrett signs for Canes
Jordie Barrett will join older brother Beauden at the Hurricanes after signing a multi-year deal with the Super Rugby champions.
The 19-year-old, considered one of the brightest talents in New Zealand rugby, made his provincial debut for Canterbury this season and had an offer to follow coach Scott Robertson to the Crusaders next year.
It is understood the decision was a difficult one for Barrett but while fellow brother Scott plays lock for the Crusaders, the chance to play alongside All Blacks playmaker Beauden was too good to turn down. Cantabrians may be disappointed but there is little doubt signing with the Hurricanes represents a homecoming for Barrett.
Still eligible for the national under 20s team next year, Barrett is likely to complement a Hurricanes back three that already features Nehe Milner-Skudder, Cory Jane and Julian Savea. His path at the Crusaders may have been blocked somewhat by Israel Dagg.
Prior to Canterbury’s match against Manawatu yesterday, Barrett had scored three tries and collected 44 points in four games this year.
Quizzed on Barrett’s future earlier this week, Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee was quietly confident with Beauden’s presence in the background.
‘‘You see that at the next level with Ardie and Julian starting. It’s a pretty special experience playing with your sibling at a high level of professional sport,’’ Lee said. ‘‘That doesn’t come along every day so that’s something in our favour. I’ve not meet Jordie personally so I can’t comment on him as a person but I have seen a few games this year and clearly he’s got buckets of talent.’’
The Barrett family features eight siblings and father Kevin ‘‘Smiley’’, who played 167 games for Taranaki and 14 for the Hurricanes, has a strong affiliation with the region.
‘‘Some of them look very similar and some of them are much bigger but they are clearly a talented rugby family,’’ Lee said. ‘‘I’ve had a bit to do with the dad and he’s a great guy. He’s often around games and I’m sure if there was another brother here he’d be around even more.’’
Barrett’s versatility will be welcomed by the Hurricanes after the departures of outside backs James Marshall and Jason Woodward. He has the ability to play first and second-five but of late has featured at fullback.
LIAM NAPIER
‘To have someone like Jordie Barrett come in … he’s already proving himself at provincial level so I’m sure he’ll continue to develop.’
‘‘He’s obviously got some flexibility about where he plays. With Jason and James we would prefer they were still part of our squad. They were big contributors last year and it’s always sad to see guys go that you want to keep but they’ve made their choices and we support them. To have someone like Jordie Barrett come in … he’s already proving himself at provincial level so I’m sure he’ll continue to develop.’’
Barrett has been studying at Lincoln University.
‘‘That’s been part of the conversation with the high performance guys and coaches if he wanted to carry on his studies.’’