Beauden Barrett’s pivotal role in covering $21 million All Blacks hole after shock Jim Ratcliffe hook
All Blacks pivot Beauden Barrett and an inset of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
When Jim Ratcliffe shockingly walked away from a six-year deal three years early, the All Blacks, New Zealand Rugby had a NZ$21 million hole to fill, but Beauden Barrett stepped up to the plate.
That is according to an extensive report by the New Zealand Herald, which detailed the role the veteran star played in getting a crucial deal with Gallagher Insurance over the line.
In February of last year, Ratcliffe went on a brutal cost-cutting rampage, which the All Blacks fell victim to as INEOS abandoned their deal with New Zealand Rugby – failing to pay the first instalment of 2025.
This left the union reeling, launching legal action against the company owned by the minority shareholder of Manchester United. Still, NZ Rugby needed to fill the shortfall and quickly.
“He might as well be a Gallagher employee”
According to the Herald, the deal was done in the matter of a fortnight, with NZR chairman David Kirk and Gallagher’s Auckland-based Australasian boss Steve Lockwood being instrumental in talking first before they and the NZR leadership team took the proposal to Gallagher.
Part of the successful bid was the inclusion of Barrett as an ambassador for the company – which was a critical cog in the deal, the report states.
“He might as well be a Gallagher employee,” Gallagher chief marketing officer Chris Mead told the publication.
“We hope we take lots of these players and help them find a career path after, but I feel like Beauden could be sitting in the office right next to me. He just fits with us.
“Kirky [David Kirk] and Mark [outgoing NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson] kind of knew, knowing our culture.”
Wanting to be identified with the All Blacks’ culture
Mead said as much after Barrett spoke to a private audience before the All Blacks’ clash against Ireland in Chicago last November.
The veteran playmaker addressed the crowd of around 30 people along with centres Anton Lienert-Brown and Quinn Tupaea, and spoke about the significance of the All Blacks jersey and the team’s legacy.
Afterwards, Barrett dined privately with the group and also golfed along with the insurer’s chief executive and board chairman Pat Gallagher and fellow All Blacks.
The 34-year-old’s comments clearly resonated with Gallagher.
“You heard them talking today – I put this jersey on [and] all these people came before me. I love the fact – I never knew until tonight – that they have their number,” he said.
“It’s really cute. ‘I’m [All Black number 1115] and proud of it.’ I get the fact that in New Zealand, every kid wants to play for the All Blacks and their families are proud of them. I think that’s a wonderful thing – and for us to be identified with that culture.”
While details of the Gallagher deal have not been revealed, it is understood that the $21 million hole left by Ineos has been filled.
Pat Gallagher added that while he is pleased to have his company’s name on the All Blacks shorts, he is open to the idea of it featuring on the front of the jersey.
“At the right price, you bet,” he said. “Right now, I’m happy with the bum.”
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