Blues make bold bid to secure Beauden Barrett’s early Super Rugby Pacific return
Toyota Verblitz's Beauden Barrett during the Japan Rugby League One.
All Blacks veteran Beauden Barrett could make his return to the Blues sooner than expected following his stint in Japan with Toyota Verblitz.
Full-back Zarn Sullivan’s injury against the Hurricanes earlier this month has opened up a space in the squad, which the Blues are seeking to fill with Barrett, who is already in training with the Aucklanders.
Barrett returning ahead of schedule?
Barrett was only set to return to action with the Blues for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season after spending a season in the Japanese Rugby League One.
However, with Verblitz failing to make the play-offs, Barrett has already returned to New Zealand and joined the Blues‘ squad to remain fit for the upcoming international season.
“The Blues are seeking clarification around the application process for including Barrett at the Blues for the remainder of this season,” a Blues statement read.
The Aucklanders are applying for special dispensation to select Barrett in the remaining rounds of the competition, with current regulations stating that players must be playing for a New Zealand side as of April 1 if they are to feature during the Super Rugby finals.
Barrett could return to fill in for the injured Sullivan, while Vern Cotter is also without fly-half Stephen Perofeta, who last featured for the side in March, sustaining an injury against Moana Pasifika.
Unlikely to happen
NZ Rugby’s head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum explained the regulations in an interview on the Rugby Direct Podcast earlier this month.
“You’re unlikely to see any of them in Super Rugby,” he said.
“The competition rules are that anyone playing offshore as of April 1 in a Super competition year can’t play in the finals.
“The very most you would see is someone coming back in as an emergency replacement for a few games to fill a gap.
“Even then, they need dispensation from the competition. Obviously, it’s not impossible, but it’s not that likely.”
Fellow All Blacks Ardie Savea and Sam Cane have also returned to New Zealand and are in training with the Hurricanes and Chiefs, respectively.
After 13 rounds of action, the Blues are at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table, winning 11 of their 12 fixtures played, falling only to the Hurricanes in March.
