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 possesses remarkable physical strength and power. It’s clear to me just how fiercely competitive he is. In terms of collisions, he dominates completely, and his level of effort is extraordinary.
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Esterhuizen and Barrett previously clashed heads during a Rugby World Cup preparatory match between the Springboks and the All Blacks in August 2023, but their next encounter has been delayed somewhat.
It's unfortunate for the game, but Leinster's stance is understandable as they've already secured a solid footing in the URE.
They have the luxury of giving their key players some rest for this match, knowing confidently that nobody will surpass them atop the URC standings this weekend.
Barrett ‘immense’
"His performance in the midfield last week was outstanding; he had a significant impact, and his effort level was remarkable. Despite the unexpectedly high temperatures in Pretoria, the amount of ground he covered was incredible," Plumtree noted additionally.
The head coach of the Sharks might be pleased that the All Black isn’t participating this weekend and even made a joke suggesting he should return to Ireland along with many top Six Nations players who haven’t made the trip.
“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.
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