News about Jordie Barrett

WORLD OF RUGBY - CHRIS FOY: It was a throw-away line in the news release about Jordie Barrett's deal to play for Leinster, which highlighted the implications of what amounts to a spying mission with mutual benefits. 'I'll learn so many different things,' said the supreme All Blacks utility back. 'It will make me see the game differently and I'll bring the best bits back to New Zealand rugby and into a Test jersey.' For the avoidance of any doubt, the presence of such a marquee player in European rugby for six months is undoubtedly a hugely positive development for the sport in these parts. The youngest of the three Barrett brothers in the All Blacks squad - now 27 - is a phenomenal talent close to the peak of his powers. Signing him is a remarkable coup for Leinster.

INTERVIEW BY NIK SIMON: Steve Diamond is halfway through his 150-mile commute home from Kingston Park to Manchester when he takes the call. He does the drive twice a week, flicking between Motown classics and conversations with agents as part of his repair job at Newcastle. He is, after all, rugby's very own Mr Fix It. 'I commuted to Worcester, I commuted to Edinburgh and now I commute to Newcastle,' he says. 'I stay at the Hilton, out by the airport. Nice and quiet. Have I got used to it? I've been in hotels for 35 years and I don't think you ever get used to it but it's part of the job. 'I'll get somewhere more permanent up there but I'm still trying to sell the flat I bought when I was at Worcester, before they went under. If any Mail readers want a place in Cheltenham then get in touch!'

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter wants Gallagher Premiership clubs to match the spending and ambition of Irish giants Leinster by developing their own 'Fortnum and Mason' recruitment policy. Leinster this week confirmed the signing New Zealand star Jordie Barrett on a short-term deal for next season. Baxter believes the 27-year-old's sabbatical is valuable for European rugby but wants the English top-flight to also become an appealing destination for overseas stars.

Leinster have sealed a stunning transfer coup after announcing that All Black centre Jordie Barrett will join them in December, until the end of next season. The 27-year-old veteran of 57 Tests is widely considered one of the best backs in the game and as part of a new contract with New Zealand Rugby, he has exercised the option to take a sabbatical. He will spend around six months in Dublin - joining the Irish capital-city province after the All Blacks' tour of Europe later this year. News of the deal has prompted widespread shock and awe. It is a formidable statement by Leinster about their intention to remain one of the primary forces in northern hemisphere club rugby. They are already near-invincible at home and perennial challengers for the Champions Cup and United Rugby Championship titles, but the addition of one of the revered Barrett brothers will add further pedigree to their glittering squad full of Test talent.

CHRIS FOY IN PARIS: Though the Springboks have been dogged in the glare of scrutiny and controversy this week, Ian Foster has been quietly planning the completion of his redemption journey in the World Cup Final. A low-key location in the north of France has no respite for South Africa, who have soaked up all the attention while their major rivals have been lying low to the west. The All Blacks are not used to a low profile, but they do have a lot of breathing space this week, which will bring the head coach who has led a startling revival to life.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The bronze medal match at a World Cup is the one no one wants to play in. I'm not concerned if England places third or fourth in France. What matters is that Steve Borthwick plays the game as the start of a new age, the chance to press the reset button on England's journey to 2027. I've selected my squad for the 2027 World Cup, and eight of them are playing against Argentina, which is exciting.

The defending champion South Africa, which is also competing for the title No. 1, is awaiting New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final next weekend. England, or Scotland. On Saturday, the semi-finals will be announced. There was a question mark over whether the All Blacks would be able to support physically and mentally their uleading attempt to topple Ireland in the quarterfinals. They did, outclassing Argentina's side in the first round of the inaugural tournament.

CHRIS FOY IN PARIS: It's too easy. Too predictable. This was a shuddering World Cup comedown after the spectacular sporting masterpieces that were created in the same arena the previous weekend. The Stade de France's bleak result of the drawn incorrectly, creating a bleak match. Two pulsating quarter-finals that showcased the very best of Test rugby, but this semi was so one-sided that it destroyed the event's credibility. Argentina was clearly out of their depth. The atmosphere was positively tense by the time the All Blacks' third attempt in the first half of injury.

As they prepare for a last-four match against Argentina with the assistance of Dan Carter, New Zealand coach Ian Foster said his team had learned from their 2019 semi-final loss to England. The All Blacks have reached the business end of the World Cup for the fourth straight tournament, although they were on the wrong end of a huge disaster in Japan. England stunned the world by defeating the southern hemisphere giants to reach the final four years ago.

RORY KEANE: This one is going to be painful for a long time. Another World Cup quarter-final exit. Another Blacklash. At least Ireland went down fighting. Deja-vu and the depressing sinking sensation are among the reasons. The late siege at the endgame was heroic, but the seeds for this humiliating loss were laid long before the exhausting, yet fruitless final attack. Ireland has received so many accolades over the past 24 months, but opponents' timing was unstoppable. They won the game that mattered, just as much as they did in Tokyo four years ago.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: For the first time in World Cup history, northern hemisphere teams dominated all the pools, bringing up four exciting quarter-finals. Ireland's draw in South Africa shows how absurd the draw is. Both these games will be deciding finals. Two big teams are likely to be disqualified, and there is a chance that the semi-finals will be made entirely of Six Nations teams. Here's my guide to the start of the knockout stages:

CHRIS FOY IN LYON: Aaron Smith scored a first-trick on a night of All Black nexation as written-off New Zealand made a revealing statement about their enduring status as top World Cup challengers. This result would cause a lot of buzz around the world. Every other country with grand ambitions will welcome this performance with fear and apprehension. As if they were hapless part-timers, Italy was put to the sword. By halftime, seven converted attempts had been dismissed, and they were completely humiliated. To think that there was pre-match rumors about an upset. It didn't take long for the outlandish scenario to be buried under an avalanche of points and so much one-way traffic. Smith was ok. In midfield, Jordie Barrett was unstopable. Ardie Savea was writhing in a weak Azzurri tackle. The All Blacks were battling for turn-over penalties. Richie Mo'unga converted with wide-angle shots, and they stayed on target. Ireland has been watching the drama unfold from their base in Tours and comprehending the complexity of the challenge they face in the quarter-finals against the tenacious victors on Friday.

CHRIS FOY IN PARIS: On Friday night, they booed their President with gusto, then roared their tense team to victory, condemning New Zealand to their first-ever pool stage loss as France launched this home World Cup. In a large part of the conflict, France labored for so long to take advantage of their supremacy. Mark Telea's two attempts had propelled the All Blacks to victory, which would have spoilt the big launch party, but Fabien Galthie's home side grew into the game in the second half, and Damian Penaud's attempt gave them the spark to restart their campaign with a prized scalp.

As preparations for the Rugby World Cup continue, New Zealand and South Africa will go head-to-head this evening. The All Blacks came into the match off the back of a 23-20 victory over rival Australia earlier this month. South Africa defeated Wales 52-16 in their last World Cup warm-up match, with the Springboks.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The key to being a successful sports team isn't focused on winning your next game. If you win enough of them, you'll be able to qualify for the World Cup final. When warm-up games encourage you to consider the bigger picture, the only time when it becomes unclear is when they get to the point. And if that is true, winning is still very important. Right now, England isn't warming up for France. In fact, they're currently snow-cold. Given the upswing of the last three weeks, it's vital that the team beat Fiji on Saturday to breathe life into it.

New Zealand extended their long reign of domination over Wales by defeating Wales 55-23 in Cardiff in a one-sided Autumn Nations Series match. The All Blacks won it for the third time against their hosts, who haven't deposed New Zealand since December 1953. Hooker Codie Taylor, scrum-half Aaron Smith, and center Jordie Barrett all scored two goals, while New Zealand's number eight, Ardie Savea, and replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho, lost control after building a 20-point lead.

Andrew Mehrtens, a former All Blacks star, believes that by bringing timekeepers and shortening halves to 30 minutes of efficient play, the issue of timewasting in rugby could be solved. His remarks came after an uneven conclusion to the Rugby Championship between Australia and New Zealand in Melbourne last week. The Wallabies were left squeamish after French referee Mathieu Raynal sparked uproar in the dying stages of the game, reversing a penalty he had originally given to the hosts.

After the team's heartbreaking 39-37 loss to New Zealand, a new image of outraged Wallabies skipper Nic White telling the referee he 'cost Australia the Rugby Championship' has emerged. After 20 years of Bledisloe Cup agony, Australia seemed to be heading for a landmark victory over the All Blacks, before one of the most controversial decisions in rugby union history ended the Wallabies' hopes.

Wallabies teammates were seen yelling Bernard Foley to boot the ball into touch moments just moments before referee Mathieu Raynal (pictured left) broke Australian rugby fans' hearts. Adam Ashley-Cooper and Matt Giteau (pictured right) led the online critique, while Wallabies legend Tim Horan dismissed Raynal's call 'disgraceful.'

The referee made a terrible call to send the match to the All Blacks in the dying minutes in what would be one of the most tense in the long history between the two countries. Mathieu Raynal was given a free kick against Australia's Bernard Foley for taking too long to kick for contact, and the Kiwis were awarded a match-sealing try shortly after to put the Wallabies' impressive comeback from 31-13 down.

Argentina beat the All Blacks in New Zealand for the first time, putting further emphasis on under-fire Kiwi coach Ian Foster. Emiliano Boffelli kicked six goals and converted a try to Juan Martin Gonzalez to lead Los Pumas to a stunning 25-18 victory on Saturday, cementing their position as the best in the Rugby Championship after three games. The Pumas won just their second match over the All Blacks in 34 tests and their first on New Zealand soil thanks to Boffelli's flawless kicking skills.