Report: Beauden Barrett signs with Japanese Top League club
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Two time World Player of the Year Beauden Beauden has reportedly signed a multi-million-pound deal to join Top League side Suntory Sungoliath according to a report by Nik Simon in the Daily Mail.
The move means Barrett will make Barrett unavailable to the All Blacks for two years, however, the New Zealand Rugby Union has agreed to the deal to help ease the financial strain of COVID-19. The 29-year-old has reportedly agreed on a two-year deal worth £780,000 per season.
Despite the move, Barrett could be given provision to still play for the All Blacks as they have done for Brodie Retallick who is currently available to the All Blacks despite playing for Toyota Verblitz in Japan.
The move to Japan will see Barrett fill the void left by Wallabies legend Matt Giteau who was in the final season of his contract at Suntory before the Top League season was called off earlier this year.
The report by Sports Mail has also said that most Top League clubs have already filled up their playing roster for next season making Manu Tuilagi's switch to the league unlikely after his contract standoff with Leicester.
Exclusive: Beauden Barrett has agreed a two-year move to Japan. He will join Suntory in December on a deal worth around NZ$1.5m per season. Most clubs have already completed their business - leaving little room for Manu Tuilagi. More on @MailSport
— Nik Simon (@Nik_Simon88) July 2, 2020
Barrett signed a new four year deal with New Zealand Rugby and the Blues last year and made his debut against his former employers, the Hurricanes, in the opening round of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Barrett made 125 appearances for the Hurricanes, fourth only to TJ Perenara, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith. He has 83 test caps for the All Blacks scoring 649 points including 36 tries.
