Barrett clan heads home to celebrate special year with family Christmas

LIAM NAPIER
Last updated 11:52, December 16 2016



Four from four. Not a bad night for the Barrett clan, and there's a sense this talented rugby family is just getting started.

When it came to the gongs at least, Beauden and Jordie weren't in a sharing mood at the New Zealand Rugby awards in Auckland on Thursday.

Beauden, with his instinctive uncluttered freedom, can now officially be regarded as the world's best of 2016, after scooping the Super Rugby and prestigious Kelvin R Tremain titles that sit alongside his World Rugby player of the year award.

Younger brother Jordie, still 19, claimed age grade and Mitre 10 Cup accolades, proving he is equally adept at fullback or second five-eighth before heading north as an All Blacks apprentice.

This comes while fellow brother and Crusaders lock Scott, 23, made his All Blacks debut and featured in all four end of year tests.

Any wonder parents Kevin and Robyn beamed with pride in the lobby of the Sky City convention centre, well before their superstar sons were formally recognised.

Kevin has certainly made good on his promise to "breed some All Blacks" after playing the last of his 167 games for Taranaki.

Christmas is a special time for most families; a rare chance to gather, reflect and be grateful.

The Barretts -five sons and three daughters all told - clearly have plenty to toast over this year's local roast.

"I remember milking last Christmas morning with dad but I won't be doing that this year because I'm away," Beauden said. "I'll spend a bit of time in the next week up there and play a bit of golf and cricket and hopefully I can help out dad.

"It's the one opportunity when mum gets all the kids home so it means a lot to her and us so I'm really looking forward to doing that."

A combination of good genes, open spaces and grounded nature crafted such gifted talents.

Backyard sporting battles were fiercely fought, bringing out the best in the Naki farming kids.

"Going back to the days I remember running around the back lawn with Jordie we called him "Bub" and still do. He's always the smallest running around but probably had the biggest ticker. That's probably why he's so good now.

"That's where it all began; that upbringing and supportive parents. Still to this day they don't miss a game. We're very fortunate for that."

Given their humble homestead, don't ever expect the Barretts to let the hype inflate their heads. Beauden was quick to deflected praise to team-mates and coaches, from the championship-winning Hurricanes to All Blacks, and point out his game-management and goal kicking remain constant work-ons.

"As a player you just want to be the best you can be and I'm working on that daily."

But what a remarkable transformation it has been for a player pegged by the All Blacks as a super sub specialist at the start of this season.

"It was unfortunate Cruds [Aaron Cruden] got injured, I could've been that person all season. Fortunately the coaches had the faith in me and gave me that opportunity and that gave me a lot of confidence; more time in the driver's seat to run the team and to rub shoulders with Reado [All Blacks captain Kieran Read] and the game drivers. That helped my game and I felt that on the field."

The Barrett name may have cemented itself in public consciousness this year but their collective blossoming is just beginning.

"I'm feeling good; the body is feeling good. I'm only 25, particularly with Jordie coming to the Hurricanes chomping at the bit he'll keep me fresh for many more seasons to come. I've got other talented siblings as well not just Jordie and I so we've got pretty proud parents."

Outside the Barretts it was another successful year for the All Blacks.

Thirteen from 14 saw them take out team of the year; Steve Hansen best coach for the fifth successive time after guiding his men to a record 18 successive wins. He blooded 11 new players; grew the leadership group's understanding of what it takes on and off the field.

The team limped home in the final test victory in Paris, and will be better for it ahead of the British and Irish Lions next year.

For now, though, it is time to switch off. Hansen plans to enjoy a few beers and some sun, and has no doubt encouraged his men to do the same.

His next task is to survive Christmas.

"It's mayhem, like most families," Hansen said. "You've got a busy day where you eat too much; drink too much and the socks and undies go in the draw and away you go. When you get to 57 you've had a few Christmases so it's all about the kids isn't it?"

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/a...mily-christmas


Five bloody Barrett's
Four winning Whitlock's
Three leaping Laulala's
Two sizzling Savea's
And a Captain called Kieran Read