All Blacks: Jordie Barrett scores on first Leinster start as Irish giants continue Champions Cup winning run

Jordie Barrett for Leinster against Clermont. Photo / Getty Images

It was a case of new position, same result for All Blacks midfielder Jordie Barrett in the European Champions Cup, scoring again for Irish side Leinster in a 15-7 victory over French club Clermont.

Barrett, 27, is currently on sabbatical with the Dublin-based club, and was forced to his former position of fullback away from the midfield, after an injury to Irish No 15 Hugo Keenan. The switch only added to Leinster’s stellar backline, as Irish internationals Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose reunited in the midfield.

But even being deployed away from his favoured position of second-five, Barrett still managed to dot down for his second try in as many matches for his new side.

From a well-worked set move, Barrett was on hand to crash over for Leinster’s second try, holding off challenges from Clermont loose forward Alexandre Fischer and winger Lucas Tauzin.

From there, the score didn’t change, as Leinster take top spot in the Champions Cup’s Pool 2, as the only side to win their first two matches. French side La Rochelle can match that feat, if they beat Bristol later on Sunday.

The try was Barrett’s second in as many games, after doing the same in a 35-12 victory over Bristol last week.

On that occasion, Barrett came off the bench as a means of acclimatising to his new surroundings, after only recently finishing his All Blacks duties for 2024 last month, when he was forced from the field injured in a one-point loss to France.

The youngest Barrett brother will spend this season with Leinster as his New Zealand Rugby sabbatical, after re-signing with the national union this year.

Asked about moving away from midfield back to fullback, Barrett said he’ll play where he’s needed for the Irish giants.

“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,” Barrett said earlier in the week.

“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, left wing, right wing – 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 fullback. It gives you a great understanding of what your wingers need, or what your 10 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.”

Meanwhile, Clermont will soon be joined by All Blacks and Blues utility Harry Plummer, who will join the French side after Super Rugby 2025.

Alex Powell is an Online Sports Editor for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016, and previously worked for both Newshub and 1News.