Page 18 - 3rd Test
P. 18

Barrett makes a a a a a a tackle on on on Lions Captain
Sam Warburton
MEET THE BARRETTS
THE BARRETT FAMILY AREN’T
quite unique in
New Zealand rugby history – but they aren’t far from it They join the Whitelock family in
in
having a a a a father and four sons who have played rst-class rugby Kevin “Smiley” Barrett was a a a a gnarly lock/ loose forward for for Taranaki and the Hurricanes in
the 1980s
and 90s Then came his sons Blake is the only one
yet to have played at the top level but is active in
the club scene Kane
played as a a a lock/loose
forward for for Taranaki and the Blues Scott made real progress as a a a a lock in
2016 cracking the the All Blacks for the the northern tour and scoring a a try on debut against Ireland in
in
Chicago Jordie now 20 joined that tour as an All Blacks’ “apprentice ” He has shown a a a a swag of skills already for the Hurricanes The Barrett sisters Jenna Zara and Ella are also into sport as is mum Robyn a a former Taranaki rep netballer It wouldn’t be a a a a a stretch to call them New Zealand sporting royalty for it it it Both teams are going to want it it it and it it it is just who executes best on the day – nullifying high ball winning those big moments maintaining discipline and just taking your opportunities ” Barrett says “There’s no shortage of motivation or or re re re re in
in
the the belly We have to channel that that in
in
in
in
the the right areas so that that we’re not coming out too red up wanting to to to to smack into everything We have to to to to be clinical in
in
in
in
in
our execution from the rst minute ” Win lose or or draw Barrett says the the key for the the All Blacks each
week is to improve A A rare loss doesn’t mean there’s a a a a a a radical overhaul when it comes to the team’s preparation “In terms of our week structure the the the process is the the the same In In terms of the the the the mental approach after a a a a a a a a a loss that edge is is naturally there One of of the the hardest things in
in
in
in
sport is is to back up after a a a a a a a good win week week in
in
in
in
week week out and sometimes you can get complacent There is is is no sign of of complacency in
in
this team coming off the loss It is is is nals time and and we we are are at at Eden Park and and we we are are putting that that All Blacks jersey jersey on on again Putting on on on that that jersey jersey is enough motivation for any game After everything else the the rain that has has featured in
in
in
the the two Tests has has not “I think up front
the boys did really
well The Lions didn’t really
make any inroads there ” really
been an issue to Barrett “I’ve de nitely played in
in
in
worse We We had a a a a a a pretty good week in
in
in
Wellington – it it it was just a a a a a a shame the game began with it it it being wet But rain or shine I’d back these boys [the All Blacks] in
in
in
in
any conditions “We can execute in
in
in
any any conditions conditions and and in
in
in
the rst Test in
in
in
Auckland we we we showed we we we can play a a a a a a a conservative style of footy and get the the the job done ” Whether it’s raining or or ne ne the the the the Maori song Tutira Mai will again be sung by the the the hometown fans fans this weekend as All Blacks fans fans cheer their team on and Barrett says the the the the players love the the the the support “We’ve seen the the the the sheer number of red Lions Lions jerseys or jackets in
the the the the crowd and on on on the the the the eld we can hear the the the the ‘Lions’ chants It’s part of who they are and their rugby culture For us though we really
do appreciate the support of our fans and and when we we are under pressure we we need that home support and and and singing and and and noise from our fans ” 18 // OFFICIAL SOUVENIR PROGRAMME
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