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The URC reaction to Jordie Barrett signing for Leinster
By Simon Thomas
Jordie Barrett’s move to Leinster Rugby has been hailed as “awesome” and “brilliant” news for the BKT URC.
The 57-cap All Blacks star will spend the second half of next season with the Irish province, coming on board in December.
He will provide a top quality option at centre, full-back and fly-half and serve as a real draw for fans across the competition.
Speaking on a BKT URC round table, former Ireland international Stephen Ferris said:
“It’s an awesome signing.
“I think he will be absolutely fantastic for Leinster.
“He’s a very durable player who can play anywhere really in the back line and slot in seamlessly.
“The experience and nous that he has, with such a young group of players that are coming off that conveyor belt down in Dublin, I am sure he will be working with a lot of those young guys.
“He has got a little bit of Irish heritage from his family.
“It’s awesome for him to spend a number of months here and for the URC audiences to see him play week-in, week-out for the time he is here.”
Giving his thoughts, Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt commented:
“I think it’s brilliant. Who wouldn’t want to come here and watch Jordie Barrett play?
“It’s good for Leinster and it’s great for the league. I think it’s a good news story.”
As for Barrett himself, the 27-year-old 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 20 years ago is pretty cool.”
Leinster coach Leo Cullen added: “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.
“He 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."
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Latest Comments
was I right to infer that you assumed a 1:1 correspondence between points and places?
If so why were you so evasive about admitting that?
I've typed out a reply regarding the pool format but I won't send it if you don't answer my question.
Go to commentsFoster should never have been appointed, and I never liked him as a coach, but the hysteria over his coaching and Sam Cane as a player was grounded in prejudice rather than fact.
The New Zealand Rugby public were blinded by their dislike of Foster to the point of idiocy.
Anything the All Blacks did that was good was attributed to Ryan and Schmidt and Fozzie had nothing to do with it.
Any losses were solely blamed on Foster and Cane.
Foster did develop new talent and kept all the main trophies except the World Cup.
His successor kept the core of his team as well as picking Cane despite him leaving for overseas because he saw the irreplaceable value in him.
Razor will take the ABs to the next level, I have full confidence in that.
He should have been appointed in 2020.
But he wasn’t. And the guy who was has never been treated fairly.
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