New Zealand international Beauden Barrett to make Blues debut in April

All Blacks star Beauden Barrett is set to make his debut for Super Rugby club Auckland Blues in April after missing the initial few months of the 2020 season.

The 28-year-old featured for Hurricanes for 10 seasons between 2010 and 2019 but has announced his move to Blues ahead of the upcoming season with his contract with the Auckland based club allowing Barrett to taking extended break in the game.

The break also allows him to exercise a short-term deal in Japan.

Blues head coach Leon MacDonald confirmed the news on Barrett's late arrival.

“We’re happy, he’s happy, and it’s no different to guys coming back late through injury or whatever the cause,” he told Stuff.

“So you adapt with players coming and going all the time.”

Barrett has played 83 times for New Zealand since his international debut in 2012 and has amassed close to 650 points. He was also part of New Zealand's victorious 2015 World Cup campaign and also the recently concluded showpiece event in Japan.

Blues will kick start the 2020 Super Rugby season with a clash against Chiefs at Eden Park on 31st January.