Beauden Barrett gives verdict on brother Jordie’s start to life in Ireland and admits to suffering from ‘FOMO’
Barrett brothers - Scott, Beauden and Jordie - during the New Zealand anthem and Jordie celebrating scoring a try for Leinster.
Beauden Barrett admits that he’s been impressed by how his brother has adapted since moving to Leinster on a short-term deal.
Jordie joined the Irish province in December following the end of the All Blacks’ 2024 Test campaign.
The 27-year-old will remain in Dublin until the end of the northern hemisphere season before he heads back to New Zealand and looks to fight for a place in Scott Robertson’s team.
His brother, Beauden, has been watching from afar as he prepares for the Blues’ upcoming Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
Jordie Barrett’s superb start
They are still in pre-season and that has given the 33-year-old a chance to catch up with how Jordie has been performing for Leinster in the Champions Cup and United Rugby Championship.
“He’s been playing really well; I’ve been enjoying that and he has been too,” he told reporters in Auckland. “He’s now on a little two or three week break, which he’ll need and is looking forward to. But what a fantastic experience for him so far.
“I know that the Irish have really been enjoying his contribution, on and off the field. [I’ve been] getting a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out), seeing those Snapchats of Guinness pints and some of the golf courses he’s playing.”
Beauden Barrett worried about ‘bad precedent’ if Scott Robertson gets his way
Beauden may also be secretly quite pleased that his brother is over in Ireland as it deprives one of the Blues’ rivals – the Hurricanes – of a key player ahead of another big season in the southern hemisphere.
The Auckland outfit are aiming to make it back-to-back Super Rugby Pacific titles after lifting the trophy in 2024, ending a barren streak of 21 years.
Barrett’s return – after he missed last year’s success due to a short-term sabbatical in Japan – only strengthens their squad.
They already have excellent competition at fly-half, with Stephen Perofeta and Harry Plummer both top quality operators, while the former can also feature at full-back.
Blues’ competition for places
“We know that depth is going to be critical. That’s healthy competition that makes it makes us better. But also it’s a long season, there’s going to be injuries. Everyone needs to stand up when we get our opportunity,” Barrett said.
Barrett also adds to the Blues’ brains trust, which already contains a number of experienced and knowledgeable players who were key to their triumph in 2024.
“There’ll be times for sure where [head coach] Vern [Cotter] might get grumpy, and the ideal environment is where players lead that kind of thing. Patty [Tuipulotu], Dalton [Papali’i], Rieko [Ioane], Ofa [Tu’ungafasi] and the like.
“That’s I guess been the biggest growth of this team is that leadership. The beauty of this side now is that the leaders in the group who stamp that out.”
