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Beauden Barrett move to Japan confirmed

Two-time World Player of the Year Beauden Barrett. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Star All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett has signed a lucrative one-season Japan club deal for next year before seeing out his New Zealand contract up to the 2023 World Cup.

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Barrett announced details of his “sabbatical” with Top League side Suntory Sungoliath which will see him miss the Super Rugby season for the Blues but be availble for the 2021 international season.

A clause in the 29-year-old’s four-year NZ Rugby contract was a lengthy break at the start of this year and a season in Japan.

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How the 2003 Rugby World Cup final was won

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How the 2003 Rugby World Cup final was won

“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 on Thursday. This is the first time Beauden Barrett will play in Japan.

“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 terms.

Leading NZ Rugby official Chris Lendrum said Barrett’s contact clause was similar to that of All Blacks locks Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock w ho played in Japan this year.

Whitelock returned from the aborted Japan season earlier this year while Retallick is playing two seasons there before resuming his New Zealand contract.

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“That flexibility in our contracting is key: it allows our top players to refresh in a different rugby environment but remain committed to New Zealand Rugby which, in the long term, is great for both parties,” Lendrum said.

The 84-Test veteran has been an influential figure for the unbeaten Blues through the first three rounds of Super Rugby Aotearoa, having played the previous nine seasons for the Hurricanes.

He said he had enjoyed the change of team and the tough nature of the Kiwi-only competition.

“I’m loving every minute of it and having such big crowds turning out has been fantastic,” he said.

“It is an excellent environment with great coaching and an awesome bunch of dedicated players. While the excitement about heading to Japan will build close r to the time, I’ll also be looking forward to being back later in 2021.”

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Suntory’s coach is New Zealander Milton Haig while England coach Eddie Jones acts as a consultant for the club.

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R
RedWarrior 59 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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