Barrett to join Leinster on a short-term contract next year before re-joining the Canes

Hurricanes’ utility back Jordie Barrett will join Irish club Leinster on a six-month sabbatical contract straight after the All Blacks’ Northern tour in December, ensuring he will miss the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific 2025 season.

However, the Hurricanes have revealed that Barrett will return to the club after the contract with Leinster as he has become the first All Black to re-sign with New Zealand Rugby beyond the 2027 World Cup.

The 27-year-old extended his contract with NZR through to 2028.

After signing the short-term contract with Leinster, Barret says Leinster is a special place for the Barrett family given they moved to County Meath when his father, Kevin Barrett, took up a professional contract in Athlone while managing a farm in 2000.

While negotiating with NZR, the 57-test All Black made it clear he was eager to grow his game playing for a club that had been the backbone of Ireland’s national team for years.

Barret says as a whole, he thinks this move is going to be really challenging, but a positive challenge.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes will be heading to Fiji this week to play the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in round 9 of the Super Rugby Pacific competition.

The Hurricanes will take on the Drua at 7.05pm this Friday at the HFC Bank Stadium, Suva.

In other round 9 matches this week, the Reds will face the Highlanders at 9.35pm Friday, the Blues will meet the Brumbies at 7.05pm Saturday, and the Force will take on the Crusaders at 9.35pm Saturday.