Barrett offered richest deal in rugby history

Cape Town - All Blacks and Hurricanes flyhalf Beauden Barrett has reportedly received an offer from a French club which would make him the highest paid rugby player in the world.

According to Sydney's Daily Telegraph, the unnamed French Top 14 club is willing to shell out NZ$3.4 million (R29.4 million) a year for the 26-year-old after next year's Rugby World Cup.

The deal would be worth a total of NZ$10m over the period of the three-year contract.

All Blacks legend Dan Carter is currently the highest paid rugby player in the world, earning a reported NZ$2.83 million (R24.5 million) at Racing 92 in France, before heading to Japan next season.

Barrett's current contract with New Zealand Rugby, which earns him NZ$1 million (R8.66 million) a season, will expire after next year's World Cup in Japan.