‘Awesome prospect’ awaits the Barretts

BEAUDEN Barrett is relishing the “awesome” prospect of lining up in the same New Zealand team as his brother Jordie.

It will be a real family affair at Eden Park today, with a third Barrett brother – back-row forward Scott – featuring among the replacements.

And the game could hardly be a more significant one. It is a Test series decider against the British and Irish Lions, who are chasing their first series win against New Zealand since 1971.

“It is awesome,” fly-half Beauden Barrett said.

“We did not quite get on to the field at the same time against Samoa (last month), so as long as we don’t fall over before Saturday it is going to happen, so it is pretty cool.

“I don’t know if I have given him any advice. He doesn’t need it.

“He trained very well on Tuesday, and I think with the outside backs in their little group, they have been communicating really well and have been working well as a combination, and the coaches have been great this week.

“You don’t want to put too much in a young fella’s head because you want him to go out there and play footie, and he is good enough to do it. That is why he has been picked this week.

“When we were both selected in the squad, I thought it might have been possible, but until the team is named, you can only hope.”

Jordie Barrett, 20, will make his first Test after going on as a replacement against Samoa, being rewarded for blistering Super Rugby form with the Hurricanes this year, and he is ready to embrace the challenge of becoming an All Blacks fullback.

“I can’t wait to get stuck in on Saturday night,” he said. “We have had a good week trainingwise, so we are looking forward to it.

“We have all got our responsibility in the team, and whether it is one Test or 100, we have got to do our job and no one can go quiet. We have all got a job to do and plenty of talk, and we are just going to do our roles.

“We’ve had a really good week. The boys are energised and excited about this weekend.

“Obviously, we are still hurt from last weekend, and that can be used as fuel.”