Beauden set for season in Japan

All Blacks and Blues superstar Beauden Barrett has signed a lucrative one-year deal to play for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan next year.

Barrett, who signed a four-year deal with New Zealand Rugby and the Blues last year, will miss next year’s Super Rugby season and play for the Suntory club based in Tokyo, before returning to New Zealand for the 2021 international season.

He will then remain in New Zealand for the rest of his contract until 2023.

The Japanese deal is reportedly worth $1.5m a season, which would make Barrett one of the highest-paid players in the world.

Barrett will link with New Zealand coach Milton Haig, the former coach of Georgia, and now head coach at Suntory Sungoliath, with current England head coach, Eddie Jones acting as consultant.

The plan to play in Japan in 2021 is part of Barrett’s four-year deal agreed last year with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and the Blues.

“For me it made sense to go next year and then have two years back with the Blues and hopefully the All Blacks in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup,” said Barrett.

“My wife and I are excited to head to Japan next year. It is an appealing place for a young family and comparatively safe in health