Band of brothers: the Barretts on new challenges and facing old rivals
New Zealand's Jordie Barrett on his way to a try against Argentina at the 2023 World Cup. Photograph: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty Images
New Zealand rugby has had some talented families – the Whettons, the Brookes, the Clarkes – but nothing to match the brilliant Barretts. Kevin and Robyn Barrett have eight children and three of them will be wearing All Black jerseys against England in Dunedin next weekend. Beauden already has 123 international caps, Scott is his country’s new captain and Jordie is among his deputies.
Rugby-wise there are few peaks unscaled by one sibling or another, which may explain why Jordie has bucked the trend of All Black sabbaticals by signing a six-month contract with Leinster, starting in December. One of the planet’s most impressively versatile and impactful players is looking forward to heading north to see how the other half lives.
According to those who know him best there are other attractions involved beyond rugby alone. “He’ll get amongst the Dublin crowd and have a few pints of Guinness,” predicts Beauden, smiling broadly. “The golf course is hugely appealing for him as well so he’ll be in the thick of it on and off the field.” The move also offers a chance to reconnect with a number of old friends from the days when his parents temporarily relocated the family to Co Meath, where Kevin worked on a dairy farm in between playing for Buccaneers RFC in Athlone.
While Jordie was only three at the time – “I was too young but I’ve got photos and stuff” – the experience left its mark. As, clearly, did his formative years back home in rural coastal Taranaki, their back garden on a par with any of the world’s finest rugby academies. “It was obviously very competitive,” recalls the younger Barrett. “Mum and Dad were always working so we were left to ourselves, which was really cool. We didn’t have a big farm but our back lawn was our world.
“We also live right on the coast, with a beach in the back yard and a golf course at the top of the road. We’d get dropped off at the top of the hill while Mum and Dad were milking cows and we’d either run home or go and practice chipping with grandad for an hour or two. We weren’t inside kids. There were no PlayStation controllers in our house.”
These days, though, though, they are keen students of the sporting world beyond the west coast horizon. Jordie has already spent short stints in Australia with the AFL club Richmond and the Melbourne Storm rugby league side in March last year and thinks his Leinster sojourn may eventually benefit the All Blacks.
“I feel like it’s a great way to grow and elevate my game – and to learn off them as well. They’ve been powerhouses for a while but haven’t got over that hurdle of semis and finals. It’s been a frustrating period for them but if you keep banging the door down eventually it will open. Hopefully we can deliver something for them.”
At a time when England players are under strict instructions not to go abroad if they wish to retain their international squad places, it feels a more adult approach to managing senior players who have been staring at the same gym walls for years. The 27-year-old Barrett believes it will benefit everyone.
“It’s not that New Zealand’s getting stale and old, it’s just a chance to flick the switch for six months, recharge and go again. I won’t delve too far into the politics but it’s a decent incentive for players in New Zealand. You’ve still got to play a decent number of Tests and spend some time in New Zealand as a youngster to be granted that opportunity.”
His brother Beauden, who has recently been playing in Japan, fully agrees with his younger brother. “I think it’s a great decision. What a fantastic and unique opportunity for him to experience some of the best, if not the best, club rugby you’ll ever play.” So might he ever fancy doing the same? “Aw, mate. I’m not getting any younger but of course it’s always in the back of my mind.”
The flip side, of course, is that Jordie could be a weary foot soldier when he comes back. Leinster will want some bang for their buck but their new recruit who has 57 All Black caps, insists he will cope. “Europe can be perceived as a place where you go and play physical rugby which will take its toll on the body. Ultimately you want to be playing well at Test level.
“But year on year you’re working with trainers around load management. There’s a great plan in place between Nic Gill [the All Blacks’ head of strength and conditioning] and Leinster. I’m certainly not going to come back in a body bag. I’m excited about the prospect of playing in big matches … URC finals and hopefully Champions Cup finals. I’ve always been one to try and walk towards those challenges. It’s an exciting wee period coming up.”
Before that, though, there is an intense two-Test series looming against England. New Zealand have not played together since losing the World Cup final in late October and Barrett, for one, is chomping at the bit. “Ask any professional athlete. Whenever you’ve gone through adversity you want to wake up and play the next day. It can’t come around quick enough for us but we also understand we’ve got to take our time for this next period. England have had a bit more preparation so we’ve got to get the next few days right.”
Even the All Blacks, though, can sense something is stirring up north. “In the past few years, from my perspective, they’ve had a big turnover of players,” suggests Barrett. “They’re playing a style now that is fast with impressive line speed. Northampton have had a really good year and there’s a lot of fresh blood in that side. It’s going to be a big challenge … they’re a good side.”
Then again, as the All Blacks attack coach Leon MacDonald, quietly observes, England will also have to deal with New Zealand’s multitalented inside-centre. “He’s a very good cricketer and a scratch golfer as well. If he puts his mind to conquering something he’ll go about doing it. He’s one of those players who is determined to nail a skill. All the Barretts are unique in their own ways but it’s pretty special how Jordie is able to do so many different things.” Like some multi-headed Kiwi hydra, stopping one Barrett brother is just the start.