The Hurricanes rookie, and brother of All Blacks first-five Beauden, has decided not to play in the tournament in Australia later this month instead opting to play Super Rugby.
However a decision on his availability for the under 20 World Cup in Georgia in June is yet to be made.
Jordie Barrett Photo: Photosport
The Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd, a former coach of the New Zealand under-20 side, said Barrett's view on the year has probably changed given he's ended up playing so much Super rugby, due to the injury of All Black Nehe Milner-Skudder who suffered a fractured foot when the Hurricanes lost to the Chiefs last month.
"Your best laid plans change...and obviously with Nehe being dinged, he's probably had more game time than we anticipated and more game time has led to good performances and that's led to interest from all sorts of people, so it's too early to says how it will all unravel," said Boyd.
But in the end Boyd said it will come down to what Jordie Barrett wants to do.
"I've always said to Jordie right from the time that we recruited him to the Hurricanes that I have empathy for the New Zealand 20's and the Hurricanes and ...if there's a decision to be made (between the two) it will be a decision he will make," said Boyd.
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd. Photo: Photosport
Barrett has also been talked about as being an outside chance for the All Blacks squad for the Lions series.
Although that would seem a very long shot given All Blacks coach Steve Hansen policy of looking to blood players and a spot on the end of year northern hemisphere tour as a development player would seem more likely.
