The rugby world loves a good debate—and lately, one of the most heated topics is whether the United Rugby Championship (URC) holds a candle to Super Rugby Pacific.
That conversation just got a bit more intense, thanks to All Blacks greats Jeff Wilson and Stephen Donald, who’ve stirred the pot with some bold claims.
At the heart of it all? Jordie Barrett’s temporary move to Irish rugby giants Leinster and how it might affect his place in the All Blacks starting lineup.
Should Jordie Barrett Start for the All Blacks After Playing in the URC?
Barrett was granted a sabbatical by New Zealand Rugby and made the move to Leinster late last year.
Since then, he’s been an integral part of the team’s campaign for both the URC and European Championship titles.
But now, as he gears up to return to New Zealand and potentially take the No. 12 jersey for the mid-year Tests against France, questions are being raised.
Wilson and Donald—two seasoned rugby minds—aren’t so sure Barrett should walk straight back into the starting lineup.
And it’s not about his form. It’s about where he’s been playing.
Stephen Donald Says URC Is “Very, Very Low Level” Compared to Super Rugby
On New Zealand’s top rugby chat show, The Breakdown, Donald was blunt.
He acknowledged Barrett’s leadership role and strong reputation but suggested starting him might be unfair to players who’ve stuck it out through the rigorous Super Rugby Pacific season.
“Would I pick him in the squad? Of course, he’s the vice-captain. Would I start him? Not necessarily,” Donald said.
“Not because of form, but as a reward for the boys who have played in Super Rugby and performed all year.”
He doubled down by saying the URC isn’t in the same league.
“It’s probably a low, a very, very low level compared to Super Rugby. Champions Cup is closer, but not the URC.”
Jeff Wilson Questions Barrett’s Readiness and Commitment
Wilson didn’t hold back either. He took things a step further, even suggesting Barrett might’ve spent more time on the golf course in Ireland than on the rugby pitch.
“You have to really trust a guy if you’re going to drop him straight into Test rugby,” Wilson said.
“You can watch all the footage in the world, but if you haven’t seen him going week in and week out against top-level competition, you’re guessing.”
Wilson emphasized that Super Rugby players will be sharper heading into the French series, especially after going through tough domestic playoff battles.
He believes Barrett needs to “prove himself again” if he wants to lock down his place for the long haul.
The Stats Tell a Different Story About URC vs Super Rugby
While Wilson and Donald speak with authority, the data paints a more humbling picture for Super Rugby and the All Blacks.
Since the URC’s launch in 2021—when South Africa ditched Super Rugby—the All Blacks haven’t exactly dominated against URC-aligned teams.
In fact, over the last four years, the All Blacks have only won 11 of 20 Tests against URC nations, putting them at a modest 55% win rate.
And when you zoom in on their biggest rivals—South Africa and Ireland—it gets more telling.
Against Ireland, the All Blacks have split their games evenly: three wins from six.
But against the Springboks? Just two wins in seven matches, a rough 29% success rate. That doesn’t exactly scream superiority.
Is the URC Really a Step Down from Super Rugby?
Despite the strong opinions from Donald and Wilson, the numbers suggest that URC teams—and by extension, the players who come from that competition—are more than holding their own on the global stage.
Both Ireland and South Africa have had the All Blacks’ number in recent years, and many of those players come straight out of the URC.
So the idea that playing in the URC puts a player “behind” might not hold as much weight as some believe.
If anything, it shows that the URC is shaping elite talent just as effectively—if not more so—than Super Rugby at the moment.
What Do You Think? Which League Is Really Better?
With Jordie Barrett’s Test future back under the spotlight and rugby fans divided over league quality, it’s clear this debate is far from over.
Should form be the only thing that counts? Or does loyalty to Super Rugby matter more when it comes to selection?
Let us know where you stand: Is the URC a worthy rival to Super Rugby Pacific—or is it still playing catch-up?