Leinster's signing of Jordie Barrett is a coup but risks causing huge resentment from their Irish rivals.

Jordie Barrett will play for Leinster from December 2024 until the end of next season. Photo: Getty Images/Trevor Collens

Breaking news Jordie Barrett signing a short-term contract with Leinster for next season may rightly be considered a stunning coup, but it's fair to say he hasn't received universal acclaim in Irish rugby circles approval.

‌Make no mistake. Barrett's decision to move to Ireland was a box office hit, a huge boon for both the club and the URC's reputation as a league.

Leinster have forged a strong and long-lasting relationship with New Zealand over the years, from game-changing former head coach Joe Schmidt to game-breakers like Isa Natseva and Brad Thorne, as well as current Kiwi Irish qualifier James Lowe and Jamison Gibson. -Park.

‌Still, however well-worn the path may be, Barrett's arrival — even if it's just for half a season — is, as a top agent said on Tuesday, the biggest overseas acquisition in history professional rugby in Ireland.

‌Barrett, 27, is the younger brother of fellow All Blacks Beauden and Scott and has the ability to play in a Leinster backline that is already filled with Ireland internationals.< /p>

“He's not a player whose best days behind him and who wants to top up his pension instead. With 57 caps to his name, Jordi is a real player.

‌This partly explains why supporters of Leinster's rivals were up in arms. Signing a contract with two-time World Cup winner from South Africa R.G. Sneyman from Munster for next season has already caused serious concern among Thomond Park fans.

‌La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara's decision to base his team in his home town of Cork ahead of the Champions Cup quarter-finals at last week, sparked a fire between Munster and Leinster fans, and O'Gara was even booed at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

‌But the debate on social media over which team Munster fans wanted to win was just a symptom of a growing feeling among other Irish provinces that Leinster is leaving them behind, highlighting their status as European galacticos.

“At the heart of the problem is money and a certain degree of envy. Leinster's ability to create a high-performance, world-class development pathway that can compete with the best in New Zealand and South Africa. With Dublin's private schools investing in provincially agreed rugby programs, the output of talented players has been phenomenal, with over 40 per cent of all current professional contracts in Ireland being with Leinster players, and many with just a couple of schools.

“This success begat success. With more players moving onto national contracts paid directly by the IRFU, this has allowed the province to more profitably capitalize on their successes on and off the field, creating a war chest that can be further invested in youth development, as well as acquiring world-class overseas talent.

‌That Barrett's signing was announced just hours after Irish hooker Dan Sheehan was confirmed to be Leinster's 10th central signing (out of 15) was hardly significant.

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‌This ever-increasing upward spiral is seen as occurring at the expense of others.

‌Ulster, who have faced financial problems and sacked their head coach and chief executive, have only one player on a national contract and recently announced that their only world-class overseas player, Steven Kitshoff, will return to South Africa after just one season, while Billy Burns will join Munster next season.

‌Munster, who were once such a dominant force in Ireland that they attracted support from within Leinster, known as «The Lansters», found it perhaps more frustrating to fall behind a powerful team » Dublin 4″.

‌Former Munster, Ireland and Lions lock Doncha O'Callaghan highlighted the issue in December when he questioned the IRFU's funding model and expressed his surprise that Snyman's move to Leinster had been approved by the governing body's performance director David Nucifora.

‌In contrast to the RFU's relationship with Premier League clubs. Ireland has a strict policy regarding the signing of non-Irish players, including not having more than one player in each position.

“This has sometimes led to controversy, such as when Ruan Pienaar had to be released by Ulster because Leinster were signing Gibson Park, who was classified as a foreign player at the time, before he had qualified through residency, and some are wondering which Barrett takes the position. was signed as given Munster already have a New Zealand center in Alex Nankivell.

‌New IRFU performance director David Humphreys will know that the concerns voiced by frustrated fans are based on more than just envy. success of Leinster.

‌Irish rugby's success over the last two decades has been built on its centrally controlled system, which has punched above its weight with the respective strengths of its four provinces.

“Because the Irish team already Leinster players dominate, there is already recognition that over-reliance on one club is not a healthy position. Barrett's signing has, in some ways, crystallized that view.

‌Which makes his signing even more intriguing and potentially more impressive than just what his dancing legs could bring to the field for Leinster within six months . next season.