After retiring from provincial rugby for Taranaki in 1999, Kevin Barrett famously said "I'm off to breed some All Blacks" but no one could've quite predicted how right Smiley Barrett would be.
Beauden, Scott and Jordie Barrett. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Beauden, Scott and youngster Jordie are all part of the 33-man All Blacks squad preparing to take on the British and Irish Lions.
The three brothers have been named in the All Blacks squad together for the first time. Jordie, 20, travelled with the team last year as an apprentice but graduated to the big time last week.
In total there are eight children - five boys and three girls - the oldest boy Kane used to play for the Blues before prematurely retiring from professional rugby with concussion symptoms.
Beauden, the oldest All Black brother, has been part of the national team since 2012 while 23-year-old lock Scott joined the side last year.
Now Jordie's officially in the side too although, being the youngest, he can't shake the nicknames from Beauden.
"We used to call him bub cause he's the youngest boy, but now I call him udon - like the skinny white noodle - but I don't think he is missing bub."
Jordie has been touted as the most talented of the Barrett brothers, not bad given Beauden won world player of the year last year.
The full back admits it wasn't always a rugby ball in his hands while growing up on the family farm just south of New Plymouth.
"In the back yard it was mostly cricket, I just always tried to match the older guys, so I was in tears most of the time."
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Given his background in the sport, it would be easy to assume the rugby pedigree came from dad Kevin, but Beauden is quick to point out mum Robyn - who has represented Taranaki in netball - played a big part too.
"Mum was a pretty talented athlete as well, they all say the speed comes from mum and the size and work rate comes from dad.
"Dad was always a forward so we probably got our flair from mum," Beauden said.
He said their rural upbringing also helped shape their careers.
"I think if you live on a farm you appreciate there's always work to be done, we always watched mum and dad working then cooking us dinner and getting us ready for school, if you relate that to rugby we always strive to be better and do the best you can."
The trio have never played together in the same team before but there's a good chance it will happen this Friday in the All Blacks' warm-up test against Samoa at Eden Park.
-RNZ
