It's fair to say Leinster's signing of Jordie Barrett on a six-month contract starting next December has shocked not only Irish rugby, but world rugby.
Coming so soon after Leinster's signature win over arch-nemesis La Rochelle, and just months after Leinster ruled two-time World Cup winner RG Snyman, it's a galatico flex from one of Europe's top two sides.
While at home, the move sparked plenty of debate of Leinster's financial might compared to the other three provinces, abroad the move has been seen has as a statement of intent from a team looking to be considered the best club rugby team on the planet.
Part of the shock is the lack of speculation around the move; there were no dots to connect, or it so seemed. Leinster have obvious gaps in the front row and have been linked to Australian prop Taniela Tupou. Before today, few could imagine Leinster recruiting a world class back at a position of strength, let alone an All Black under 30.
Jordie Barrett move was leaked on Monday
Interestingly, the move was leaked on Reddit on Monday afternoon but nobody believed it.
Reddit user oldappiain posted at noon Monday.
Jordie Barrett off to... Leinster
..... due to be announced this week.
He added that Leinster remain in the market for Tupou and would add after the news was confirmed:
"I have a pretty direct source on this and I thought I would share it for a bit of fun. I have zero affiliation with Leinster rugby or anybody in NZ."
Here's a taste of the disbelieving replies the post inspired:
Yeah, because Leinster need a world class centre and fullback
u missed April 1st by a whole 2 weeks...
Strange, I heard he was off to Ealing Trailfinders
Source: Trust me bro
Six hours later, Leinster confirmed the signing, and the original thread was full of comments saying Oldappian was owed an apology. His handle was given the tag Lisan al Gaib, which Dune fans will know refers to the prophet.
Barrett spoke to Leinster's social media channels on Monday evening about his love for Ireland and his connection to the province due to his time in Oldcastle, Co Meath as a youth.
"𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲." ☘️
Jordie Barrett speaks about his move to Leinster Rugby and his time living in county Meath. #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/cfl6yRqTxr— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) April 15, 2024
It's a development pretty much no one in Irish rugby saw coming at the start of the day. You'll read all kinds of unbelievable things on the internet in a given day; now and again, some of them are true.
