by As Jordie Barrett returns from a recent knee injury to face England at Twickenham on Saturday, we will once again witness the spectacle of three brothers simultaneously plying their trade for the greatest rugby nation in the world.
Scott, Beauden and Jordie Barrett are far from the first siblings to represent the All Blacks. But they are the first trio to do so, making them certainly one of the most talented sporting families to ever walk God’s green earth.
As this thought was expressed in a recent interview with the “fourth” Barrett brother, Blake Telegraph sportsHe failed at the idea, wrinkled his nose and said, “No.” But can you think of something better? Here, Telegraph sports brings a few names into play for the “sportiest family in the world.”
The Barretts
Ridiculously talented. Three of the five Barrett brothers, who grew up on a dairy farm on the North Island coast, currently play for the All Blacks, including captain Scott, vice-captain Jordie and two-time World Player of the Year and World Cup winner Beauden.
His older brother Kane was also on his way to representing his country before his career was cut short by injury, while younger brother Blake has played over 100 times for Coastal. Jordie is also a scratch golfer and may have represented New Zealand in cricket.
Add to this the fact that father Kevin “Smiley” Barrett played for the Hurricanes and Taranaki 167 times for two years, mother Robyn played basketball and netball for the New Zealand under-20s before quitting to have (eight) children, and Sister Jenna swam and played netball at Super League level, and you’ve got a pretty convincing argument for the world’s sportiest family.
Other rugby contenders: Rory and Tony Underwood, the famous Tuilagi clan (the five eldest have all represented Samoa at international level in a World Cup, while the youngest, Manu, has chosen to represent England), Emile and Romain Ntamack , the Burgess brothers of rugby league (Sam, George, Tom and Luke).
Or how about the New Zealand Fox family, who have made it through three generations in three different sports? Grandfather Merv Wallace was a Test cricketer, Grant Fox won the first Rugby World Cup in 1987, while Ryan Fox is a professional golfer on the European Tour.
The Mannings
The first family of American football. Brothers Peyton and Eli Manning each won two Super Bowls, won the MVP title and broke several NFL records in the process. Father Archie Manning was also the starting QB for the New Orleans Saints for many years.
The Mayweathers
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is arguably the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in boxing history and famously retired undefeated. His father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., is a former welterweight contender who fought Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard, while uncle Jeff and the late Roger Mayweather were professional boxers, with the latter – Floyd’s former trainer – winning two world championships.
The Charltons
There’s not much better than winning England’s only World Cup together as brothers. Sons of Ashington, a colliery town in Northumberland, Jack and his younger brother Bobby were craftsmen and artists on the field and contrasting characters off the field who were known to be estranged for most of their lives. But their shared place in English football history is certain.
