All Black out-half Beauden Barrett could make a shock move from the Hurricanes to fellow Super Rugby franchise the Blues according to the NZ Herald.
The 28-year-old has been a long-term target for the Blues, he was even set to join them in 2016 until he re-signed with the Hurricanes, whom he has been with since 2011.
However, the Herald are reporting that he has remained on their radar and they hope to hold talks about a move north for the playmaker.
It is suspected that any deal would most likely be similar to that of Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock, both of whom will take sabbaticals in Japan before returning to New Zealand.
Only last month, Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree expressed his desire for Barrett to remain at the club and told Radio Sports D’Arcy that they had already started discussing the future.
“First prize for us is that he stays at the Hurricanes in some capacity. There might be a sabbatical involved or he might decide to go and play overseas. The chats that I’ve had with him have all been pretty positive around playing for New Zealand Rugby and his future in New Zealand Rugby, so I think we can probably wait for the rest,” he said.
It is believed that if the 73-capped All Black does make the switch to the Blues that he may only turn out for them come 2021 due to a break away from New Zealand.
The Herald asked the Blues for a comment on the matter to which chief executive of the franchise Michael Redman gave a simple reply.
“Our policy remains unchanged that we never comment on speculation around player or staff recruitment,” he said.
The other possibility for the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year is a move to Europe with reports claiming that French Top 14 teams are vying for his signature and willing to offer him a massive financial contract.
Barrett is the biggest name on the All Black list yet to declare his future intentions, however, if he does move to the Blues it would be a huge signing for a franchise that hasn’t made the Super Rugby play-offs in eight seasons.
