Jordie Barrett has confirmed that he will be available for the All Blacks\u2019 three-Test series in France and is doing all he can to make that squad.<\/b><\/p>\n
The New Zealand star is currently on a sabbatical in Ireland, having joined Leinster in December on a six-month deal which ends after the Dublin-based outfit\u2019s United Rugby Championship season finishes next month.<\/p>\n
Barrett<\/a> will hope that is on June 14 \u2013 the day of the final \u2013 as Leo Cullen\u2019s men seek to finally win some silverware after their recent Champions Cup disappointment.<\/p>\n Competition at centre<\/p>\n There has been talk in New Zealand<\/a> about who will be wearing the 12 jersey for the mid-year Tests, but the incumbent has confirmed that he will be ready to take the shirt if selected.<\/p>\n Asked on Sport Nation\u2019s Beaver & Guy show if he would be available to face Les Bleus, the 28-year-old responded: \u201cYes, if all things are going well.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we make a URC final up here on the 14th, I will fly home on the 19th and if I\u2019m lucky enough to be fit, healthy and selected, hopefully I\u2019m in camp for the first Test to play the French.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s plenty to happen before now and then, so hopefully I can earn my way back into the side.\u201d<\/p>\n Several centres have impressed in Super Rugby this season, including the Highlanders\u2019 Timoci Tavatavanawai, who was described by Justin Marshall earlier this year as being like \u201cMa\u2019a Nonu on steroids\u201d.<\/p>\n Tavatavanawai was born and raised in Fiji but he has lived in New Zealand for over five years and Scott Robertson will no doubt be interested by his performances.<\/p>\n However, it would be a big call to drop Barrett, who is no doubt favourite to face France despite his stint in Ireland.<\/p>\n The Leinster<\/a> star revealed that he has been in touch with some of the All Blacks coaches over the past six months, who have kept up to date with his progress.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, little bits and pieces, received some nice reassuring texts from some of the coaches, and they\u2019ve obviously been watching a few games,\u201d Barrett said.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it\u2019s just good to check in with them, I\u2019ve spoken to a couple of them at length on the phone about various systems and what we could potentially benefit from going forward in New Zealand.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a great balance there, some have left me to my devices and let me play, which is perfectly sound too. It\u2019s all been positive.\u201d<\/p>\n