New Zealand flyhalf Beauden Barrett has hinted that he may take a playing sabbatical in Japan following the 2019 World Cup.
Speaking in Tokyo ahead of the third Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia this weekend, Barrett suggests that he could be open to returning to Japan after competing for the All Blacks in next year’s showpiece.
He says: “There is a lot to like about Japan.
“What I can say is there is good open communication with the coaches, my management and NZR [New Zealand Rugby] and I am happy that at the right time I will make the right call.”
In the past, NZR has allowed sabbaticals to players like Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.
With the country hosting the World Cup, there will be no domestic Top League rugby competition in Japan in 2019 and it remains to be seen what structure Japanese rugby takes the following year.
The 27-year-old Hurricanes playmaker is hoping to lead New Zealand to a 3-0 sweep of Australia with victory in the third Bledisloe Cup Test in Yokohama on Saturday.