The Hurricanes have won the race for the prized signature of rising playmaker Jordie Barrett.
The youngest of a talented group of rugby-playing brothers, 19-year-old Barrett has signed for two seasons with the Super Rugby champions.
Brother and All Blacks five-eighth Beauden Barrett will be a teammate, winning a family battle.
Lock Scott Barrett plays for the Crusaders, whose new coach Scott Robertson stated he was keen to sign the New Zealand under-20 playmaker Jordie.
The brothers’ father, Kevin Barrett, was a Hurricanes loose forward in the late 1990s.
Jordie Barrett says the decision to commit to rugby fulltime was difficult as it meant giving up competitive cricket, having represented Central Districts at age group level.
“It has been a goal of mine to play Super Rugby and to be able to train and play alongside Beauden at the Hurricanes will enable me to continue to develop as a player,” he said.
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd described the teenager as an “undoubted talent with a real drive to succeed”.
Jordie Barrett has played a variety of backline positions this year for NPC leaders Canterbury.