It’s been just under two weeks since Jordie Barrett landed in Ireland to begin his spell as a Leinster player, and it hasn’t taken him long to make an impact.
After travelling with the squad for their Interpro against Ulster in Belfast just a few days after landing in Dublin, the New Zealand international made his debut in Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup win away to Bristol Bears on Sunday, playing 40 minutes after being brought on for the injured Ciarán Frawley at half time.
As debuts go, it went about as well as the 27-year-old could have hoped for.
Having got a couple of touches in an early Leinster attack in the minutes after half time, he scored a try and assisted Sam Prendergast for another, as Leinster dominated the Bears in the second half of the 35-12 win.
“It doesn’t happen too often, so I might be setting some unrealistic expectations going forward,” Barrett said of his first try in Leinster colours.
The All Black will only be spending the remainder of this season at the province before returning to Wellington with the Hurricanes, with the versatile back granted a short-term sabbatical from his contract with the New Zealand rugby union.
And with that in mind, he is keen to settle into his new surroundings as quick as possible.
“I’ve been here 13 days and every extra day helps in terms of being familiar with everyone within the walls of Leinster and I guess understanding the game we want to play here and our DNA.
“It’s been a great start, I’ve enjoyed it, and I’m just chomping at the bit for more.
“They [the players] take a lot of pride in the club and what it stands for and obviously my teammates are great blokes who have helped me across the 13 days, reaching out on and off the field, making the transition seamless. It’s been great and I’m so grateful for it.”
One element that is easing his transition is his relationship with Tyler Bleyendaal.
The former Munster out-half had spent the last four years working alongside Barrett at the Hurricanes in New Zealand, before he also made the move to Leinster to replace Andrew Goodman as the province’s attack and backs coach.
“When I signed, it was unbeknown to me that there was an option for Tyler to come up here. The minute I found out he was coming to Leinster I was absolutely rapped.
“It’s great for continuity in terms of my game. From a selfish perspective, I’m trying to get better and grow my game, and he’s a great coach who played a lot at 10 and 12. He can coach me on that individual perspective one-on-one really well.
“He was awesome for the Hurricanes and I’m sure he’s going to add a lot to this Leinster group,” Barrett added.
In his 40-minute debut, the versatile back formed linked up nicely with Sam Prendergast, with Leinster utilising him as a first-receiver off a scrum in the build-up to Prendergast’s first try on 52 minutes (below).
“Sammy’s a good kid for a start. A good head on his shoulder and his feet are on the ground. He’s a confident young man with all his best years ahead of him.
“Admittedly he’s not a finished product right now, no one ever is at his age, but he’s going to keep growing, keep learning, keep doing good things, keep making mistakes, and that’s important for his growth as well.
“Look, there’s some great young tens in Ireland at the moment. I’ve seen Ciarán Frawley here in this environment and Jack Crowley as well at Munster. I feel like that should be celebrated. You’re in good hands.”
High on the list of priorities for Barrett in the coming months is a trip back to Ballinacree in County Meath.
A well told story, Barrett spent just under 18 months living in the small town village in north Meath as a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, when his parents Kevin and Robyn availed themselves of a farm swap, moving from New Plymouth in 1999, with Kevin playing All Ireland League rugby for Buccaneers.
“I’ve had plenty of people reach out already. It’s great, I have some awesome family ties there and I’m looking to head up there and spend some of Christmas and potentially the new year there, it’ll be great.”
