Former All Blacks coach John Plumtree has hailed the talents of Jordie Barrett following his fine displays for Leinster this season.
The New Zealand star is currently on a short-term deal with the Irish province and featured in their narrow defeat to the Bulls last Saturday.
Barrett has impressed since moving to Dublin and provided much-needed experience and quality in an understrength Leinster outfit against the Pretoria outfit.
Springbok v All Black
The centre was set to go head-to-head with Andre Esterhuizen this weekend after the Springboks powerhouse was selected at 12 for the Sharks, but the visitors have decided to rest the New Zealander.
It was shaping up to be a mouth-watering subplot to the game, but Leinster are focusing on their Investec Champions Cup tie with Harlequins next weekend.
Springboks lock RG Snyman is another big name to sit out this encounter as they will both play a key role in the Champions Cup round-of-16 contest in Dublin.
That didn’t stop Plumtree, who knows Barrett well having worked with him at both the Hurricanes and All Blacks, from praising the All Blacks star.
“I was chatting to Jason Holland (current All Blacks coach) this morning, and we were talking about just how good Jordie is,” he told reporters.
“I thought he was huge against the Bulls. He has softer touches to his game, the ability to put players around him into space that few other players do.
“But he is also physically strong and powerful. I also know full well how competitive he is. He is an absolute beast in the collision area, and his work-rate is immense.”
✍️ ‘We don’t sign Kiwis’ – Jake White dismisses understrength Leinster narrative
Esterhuizen and Barrett last went head-to-head when the Springboks faced the All Blacks in a Rugby World Cup warm-up in August 2023, and they will now have to wait a bit longer.
It is a shame for the game but understandable from Leinster’s perspective, who have already put themselves in a strong position in the URC.
They can afford to rest their big players for this game safe in the knowledge that no one can overtake them at the URC summit this weekend.
Barrett ‘immense’
“His play in the midfield last week was immense, he was hugely influential, and his work-rate was immense. It was hotter than expected in Pretoria, but the work he got through around the park was unreal,” Plumtree added.
The Sharks head coach may therefore be delighted that the All Black is not playing this weekend and in fact joked about him heading back to Ireland to join most of the Six Nations stars who have not travelled.
“Jordie is a massive player for Leinster and a big threat. I wouldn’t mind if Jordie had gone back to Ireland actually,” he quipped.
And as it happens, Plumtree, who was speaking ahead of Leinster’s team announcement, very much got his wish.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/ex-all-blacks-coach-hails-absolute-beast-jordie-barrett-who-has-been-hugely-influential-in-ireland
