Jordie Barrett signs short-term Leinster deal, insisting: ‘We’ve got so many great family connections’

Barrett is taking a sabbatical from his club Hurricanes and will remain contracted to the New Zealand Rugby Union during his spell with the province.

The world-class utility back is a stunning acquisition for Leo Cullen's side and the announcement comes just two days after their stunning Champions Cup quarter-final revenge victory against La Rochelle.

Predominantly an inside centre, the 27-year-old has also played at out-half, full-back and on the wing.

Barrett, younger brother of fellow All Blacks, Beauden and Scott, made his Test debut against Samoa in 2017.

He began his Hurricanes career that same season and recently reached the 100 appearance mark and has played 57 times - scoring 292 points, including 24 tries - for the All Blacks.

In signing a new contract extension with the New Zealand Rugby Union, the 27-year-old has exercised an option to play overseas and he will join up with his new team-mates in December 2024.

Barrett has strong family connections with the province and with Co Meath where he spent some time in the early 2000s when his family relocated to Oldcastle, while his father, Kevin, managed a farm and played rugby with Buccaneers.

Leo Cullen on Leinster's 40-13 Champions Cup win over La Rochelle

Speaking about the decision, the 57-times capped All Black said: "It’s going to be a great place for me to develop as a rugby player in a different environment where I’ll learn so many different things.

"Ireland is a special place for the Barrett family. We’ve got so many great family connections in Oldcastle, in County Meath and throughout Dublin. To have an opportunity to go back and meet some family and friends and connections that were made twenty years ago is pretty cool."

Leinster Rugby Head Coach, Leo Cullen, welcomed the announcement and looked forward to welcoming Barrett to the club. "We’re delighted that Jordie has agreed to join us after New Zealand’s tour in early December, especially as he has chosen Leinster ahead of a number of other very attractive options,” said Cullen.

"Jordie is a fifty-plus cap All Black with an outstanding skillset who has been performing at the highest level of the game for multiple seasons now. He is keen to seek out a new experience at Leinster and I’m sure we will learn a lot from each other during his time with us.

"The Barrett family have strong connections with Ireland and Leinster in particular, so it’s a sort of homecoming for Jordie!

"I’m sure all our supporters will be really excited to welcome one of the best players in the world and see up close what he brings to the team.

"We would also like to thank the New Zealand Rugby Union for their support with this move."

In 2000, Kevin and wife Robyn Barrett spent 15 months in Oldcastle with their children. When living in Ireland, the Barretts attended St Fiach’s National School in Ballinacree.

As well as looking forward to reconnecting with some old faces, Barrett is looking forward to challenging himself in a new environment.

"As a whole, I think this move is going to be really challenging, but a positive challenge. Heading north to different conditions, different teams, different referees - I think it will open my game up, make me see the game differently and I’ll ultimately bring the best bits back to New Zealand rugby and into a Test jersey, ideally, at the end of it.

"The reality of being a professional athlete is that you’ve only got a small window to have these opportunities and I’d love to be sitting there in twenty or thirty years with my kids or grandkids, knowing that I left no stone unturned, and I took up this opportunity to better myself."

Barrett, will join Leinster Rugby in December 2024 and will stay until the end of the 2024/25 season.