Barrett brothers' return has Taranaki buzzing

The Barretts are back in Taranaki for the All Blacks clash with Argentina and are "fizzing" at the chance to play together in their home region, which is tickled pink to have its favourite sons back.

The Barretts have a big family - three girls and five boys all up - including All Blacks Beauden, Scott and Jordie.

Jordie is injured, but Beauden and Scott will run out to a roaring Naki welcome in New Plymouth on Saturday night.

They've been told to get extra tickets to the test, with the Barrett clan bringing big numbers to the match.

Scott said it was a request they were chuffed to fulfil.

"I guess the good thing is we are playing at home, so Mum, Dad and the rest of the family don't have to travel across the country or even across the world to see us play.

"So for them to be able to come 30 minutes round the coast it's not all that bad to organise an extra couple of tickets."

And Scott couldn't be happier to be home, showing off the family farm to his hungry All Black mates, including lock Brodie Retallick, colloquially known as the 'Guzzler'.

"Mrs Barrett's supposed to be cooking scones apparently, ha ha," Retallick chirped, with Scott quickly adding, "They're usually pretty good so no pressure Mum."

According to All Blacks prop Joe Moody, Mrs Barrett was on form.

"To be honest I made a bit of a pig of myself on them. Mrs Barrett did a very good job on her cheese scones and her date ones weren't far behind."

Though the invitation was not extended to the All Blacks coaches, assistant Ian Foster was clearly miffed at missing out.

"No, I never got the invite for the royal visit, I guess that's probably just players, but they're very proud Taranaki boys aren't they?

"It's pretty special when you come home and you're an All Black so I'm sure they're loving the week and they'll love showing some of their mates around their home farm

"And it will be good for everyone else to see that too so, both boys are very excited."

Francis Douglas Memorial College deputy principal Tim Stuck coached all but one of the brothers.

He said the hospitality at the Barretts' farm was world famous in Taranaki.

"They certainly host people very well out there and it's a special little place, what with the Crowleys right next to them down the coast

"So something must be in the water, they know how to breed some pretty talented rugby players."

Stuck also taught the Barrett boys, but like any good Taranaki-ite, he's not about to dob them in.

"They're just regular lads doing - you know, boys at a boys school, I'm sure they got up to mischief occasionally but nothing too serious - I was the year 13 dean at the time and they couldn't have been too bad because I never had to send them home or anything."

Meanwhile, the Francis Douglas under 15s are in Wellington at the schools tournament and such is their desire to see their old boys playing in New Plymouth, they're willing to make huge sacrifices to get home in time.

"Depends if we make the semi-finals or finals, hopefully we don't so we can get back in time to watch the game without going too far over the speed limit."

As to who their favourite Barrett is, well, with Jordie being so young (20-years-old) he went to school with many of these youngsters and is the clear fan favourite in this group.

Of course, Beauden had support from the first-five and Scott found some solidarity in the forwards.

When it comes to tomorrow night though, there's no doubt who they'll be supporting, with the cheer of 'Go the Barretts' ringing long and loud around the Upper Hutt ground they were playing at.

And while the All Blacks are playing in New Plymouth, these Taranaki tamariki know where Argentina are really headed.

They've re-named the city 'Barrett-town' and not many locals would argue.

Another All Blacks win and the Barrett-town movement should gain even more momentum.

- RNZ