AUDIO: The Leinster beast Plumtree is wary of

03/27/2025 09:30 AM

AUDIO: One of the Leinster men who will meet the Sharks in Durban this weekend is All Black utility back Jordie Barrett, someone Sharks coach John Plumtree knows all too well.

The 57-cap All Black joined Leinster in December after he worked in an option in his contract with New Zealand Rugby that would allow him to take up a short-term deal with the Irish club.

Plumtree coached Barrett at the Hurricanes in 2019 and between '20-'22 while he was the assistant All Black coach.

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The Sharks coach, speaking with reporters on Friday, spoke lyrically about Barrett's performance against the Bulls and remarked laughingly that he wouldn't mind if the New Zealander was one of the players going back to Ireland ahead of their United Rugby Championship clash on Saturday.

Barrett was one of the stars for Leinster against the Bulls last weekend and scored the first try of the game.

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"I thought Jordie was outstanding against the Bulls. Just his softer touches and the way he plays into space were really good.

"Just how competitive he is in every compartment of the game, whether he has the ball or not.

"He is an absolute beast when it comes to the collision area and his work rate out on the park is immense in the midfield," Plumtree stated.

"Playing at altitude, probably a bit warmer than they thought, and I thought the way he got around the park was unreal.

"So I wouldn't mind if Jordie has gone back to Ireland actually, ha ha," the coach said jokingly.

During his time at the Hurricanes, Plumtree saw Barrett as a leader and key driver in the team.

Barrett played on the wing for some games, but Plumtree emphasised that he viewed him more as a fullback, and the wing switch was a temporary measure due to injuries

The New Zealand star's versatility has been beneficial for his growth as a player, but upon arriving in Dublin where he currently lives, he implied that he now wanted to specialise.

'Jack of all trades, master of none'," he told Irish reporters at the time.

"In some ways, I was a bit of a jack of all trades and master of none for a number of years there, but I feel like it's probably stood me in great stead for where I am at the moment.

"I feel like I've been around forever, but I'm 27 and I feel like my best rugby is ahead of me, which is positive - hence the reason to try to come up here at this point in my career.

"But playing even in Test matches, on the left wing, right wing - No. 10 once - plenty of 15 and 12 gives you a good perspective and understanding of what the guy inside you demands or needs out on the pitch, and same with other guys in similar positions.

"So, I guess when you're trying to solidify yourself in one position, whether you're 12 or full back. It gives you a great understanding of what your wingers need, or what your flyhalf needs, or what your nine needs.

"So I feel like I'm in a position now where I understand the game pretty deeply, and hopefully, it puts me in good stead for the rest of my career."