Jordie Barrett has broken the trend, heading off to Ireland for his rugby sabbatical at the end of this year as opposed to Japan. 

He’s also the first player to commit their services to NZ Rugby beyond the 2027 World Cup. 

NZR GM of Professional Rugby, Chris Lendrum, joined Jason Pine to discuss the importance of signing Jordie long-term, and what his sabbatical means. 

He told Piney that the signing operates as a signal to everybody else that they All Blacks are going to continue to mean business well into the future, and they couldn’t be happier. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

• "I believe I'll come back a better rugby player": Jordie Barrett on his unique sabbatical choice
• Super Rugby: Jordie Barrett to take six-month sabbatical at Irish club
• Avan Lee: On Jordie Barrett re-committing to New Zealand Rugby until 2028