New Zealand’s playmaker Beauden Barrett is gearing up for the upcoming Japan Rugby League One season with Toyota Verblitz this weekend. Barrett, who signed with Verblitz alongside teammate Aaron Smith, expressed his intention to take a season-long sabbatical in Japan for a mental refresh before returning to play for New Zealand next year. The 32-year-old, a two-time world player of the year, is committed to the All Blacks’ new World Cup cycle, signing with New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2027. Barrett, who previously played in Japan in 2021, believes the
experience will enhance his skills and contribute to his growth as a player. He looks forward to playing with freedom in Japan, where he and Smith join a roster of All Blacks who competed in the World Cup final and have moved to Japan. The Verblitz team, led by former All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen, includes players like South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit and Japan’s captain Kazuki Himeno. Smith, the scrum-half, is excited to reunite with Himeno and is eager to experience the skill level and physicality of Japanese rugby in real-game scenarios.
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