Why re-signing Jordie Barrett should be NZR’s ‘number one’ priority

Looking to create a long-lasting “legacy” with the All Blacks, star midfielder Rieko Ioane has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby on a four-year deal until 2027.

Ioane joins hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho as the only All Blacks to have officially signed an extension until the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

While the dawn of a new era under incoming coach Scott Robertson awaits the All Blacks, this news creates a sense of certainty for the future.

But there are still a number of key players who remain uncontracted beyond the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Caleb Clarke and Dalton Papali’i are both only committed until the end of the next year, despite only being in their mid-20s.

Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor and Sam Cane are among the players who have signed with NZR until 2025.

While there are a lot of questions that remain unanswered about the futures of key All Blacks, SENZ Breakfast host Tony Kemp has named the player he believes NZR have to re-sign.

“I thought he would have been in the top three definitely, I would have had him at the number one as far as signing goes (but) he would be Jordie Barrett,” Kemp told SENZ Breakfast.

“At 26 I think he has to be signed through to 2027, just to solidify all the outside back options.

“As you know, if they’re struggling at 12 who’s filling in? Jordie Barrett.”

Jordie Barrett is one of the many players who are yet to commit their futures to NZR beyond 2025.

This time last year, Barrett was widely considered to be the best fullback in New Zealand – only to go on and make the No. 12 jersey his own at Test level during the end-of-season tour.

Barrett has a unique skillset that could see him play practically every position in the backline if called upon – don’t forget, he scored four tries against Italy while playing on the wing in 2018.

But should the 26-year-old test the open market, he’d likely be offered a lucrative deal overseas. As Kemp discussed, NZR would have to consider offering Barrett a sabbatical clause if they did decide to renew his contract.

“If they go and have a sabbatical, why wouldn’t he think about maybe going up to Japan and playing a bit of touch and picking up some cash?” Kemp added.

“That’s what they do but they come back, as we’ve seen with Damian McKenzie, and it just takes them a little bit longer to get back in.

“I’m thinking with Jordie Barrett’s contract, because he isn’t one of those younger guys that they’re trying to sign, he’s probably putting that together where he says,’ Yeah I’ll sign through to the next World Cup in 2027 but I want to head to Japan in this year and I want to maybe look at going up to France in this year before I come back and settle down 18 months out from the ’27 World Cup’.

“I just think that you’ve got to sign Jordie up.”