EXCLUSIVE: New Zealand superstar Beauden Barrett agrees huge £780,000-a-year deal to join Japanese team Suntory Sungoliath as All Blacks take the hit of him not playing for two years to ease financial strain of coronavirus
- All Blacks star Beauden Barrett agrees to join Japanese team Suntory Sungoliath
- The 29-year-old has agreed a two-year deal worth £780,000 per season
- His big-money move will mean he will not represent the All Blacks for two years
All Blacks superstar Beauden Barrett has agreed a multi-million pound move to Suntory Sungoliath as the exodus of players to Japan continues.
The double World Player of the Year has agreed a two-year deal with the franchise, worth £780,000 (NZ$1.5m) per season.
Sportsmail understands the 29-year-old full-back, who also plays No 10, will join up with his new side after this year’s autumn internationals.
All Blacks superstar Beauden Barrett has agreed a big-money move to Suntory Sungoliath
It means he will not represent the All Blacks for two years, however the New Zealand Rugby Union agreed to the deal to help ease the financial strain of COVID-19.
Barrett and his All Blacks team-mates are centrally contracted, allowing New Zealand control over their players on the international stage.
His absence will cost the team arguably their best player but free up crucial funds to help deal with the lack to Test rugby during the Covid-19 crisis.
The double World Player of the Year has agreed a two-year deal with the Japanese franchise
Japan is becoming a financial hotbed for established players, with English trio George Kruis, Alex Goode and Freddie Burns all signed up for next season.
Centre Manu Tuilagi has also been linked with a switch, following his contract standoff with Leicester, although Sportsmail understands that most clubs have already filled up their playing roster for next season.
Barrett could have sought a move to Europe, however he will follow the likes of countrymen Brodie Retallick, Dan Carter and Kieran Read by making the move to Asia.