Beauden Barrett

Beauden Barrett requested a significant All Blacks exemption that has never been allowed before. Liam Napier reveals why NZ Rugby said no.

Barrett is one of many All Blacks set to be in high demand post World Cup. The Japanese landscape is shifting towards signing foreign players on longer term deals that provide much more stability and value for money. Barrett turns 33 in 2024, the year following the World Cup. New Zealand Rugby’s long-standing eligibility policy requires players to feature within the country’s competitions – Super Rugby and the NPC – to be selected for the All Blacks. All Blacks management are understood to have supported Barrett’s right to make the exemption request, and indicated the 112-test playmaker would be selected beyond the World Cup. New Zealand Rugby’s eligibility rules have survived a major test case after Beauden Barrett’s request to be selected for the All Blacks from offshore following next year’s World Cup was rejected.