Page 23 - Official Preview - DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017

PROFILE
BUILDING BEAUDEN
In 2016 Beauden Barrett didn’t just jump the All Blacks’ queue of rst ve-eighths – he he propelled himself to to the the very top of world rugby in the the process But his journey started years earlier on a a a a a a farm in Pungarehu WORDS: CAMPBELL BURNES
IT TOOK BEAUDEN
BARRETT YEARS TO TO become an overnight sensation Three years of gradual progression as a a a a a a a a a a super sub not quite ready to to mount a a a a a a a serious challenge for for No 10 before coming from the the outside to to overtake not only his immediate rivals but also rst ve-eighths the the the world over over Then in 2016 it happened: he he he he became the the the planet’s top No 10 Once cast as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a fullback who could change the the the face of a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a game in in the the the second half or a a a a a a a a a a a a a a versatile all-round footballer who who could slot into the the the No No 10 position if required all all all too often he he he he found himself wearing the the the No No 21 or 22 jersey instead His brilliance from the the the bench was was never in in in question but exactly what future role he he he he would ful l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l for the the All All Blacks Blacks was was unclear Born on on 27 May 1991 when legendary All All Blacks Blacks kicker Grant Fox was top of of the the the No 10 pops he he he he he grew up on on on the the the family farm in in Pungarehu a a a a a a a a a a 35-minute drive south of of of New New Plymouth on on the the the West Coast of of of New New Zealand’s North Island For Beauden sport was was always everything His father Kevin was was a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a mainstay of of the the Taranaki engine room a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a anker who turned out 167 times for the the side and later became a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a full-time pro with the the Hurricanes Beauden was as as as active as as as one would expect a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a 1990s dairy farm boy to to be – always on on the move with nary a a a a a a a a a a a a mobile device in in sight The rst competitors he he he he would would face would would be be those sharing his surname as as as one of of eight children he he he was never shy of of a a a a a a a a a a a a foe to face in in backyard cricket or or rugby He has four brothers: Kane the the the oldest then Scott Blake and and and Jordie and and and three sisters Zara Ella and and and Jenna Eight The food bill of the the the human Barrett Barrett herd must have been almost as as pricey as as the the the the Barretts’ bovines “The hinge door door on the the the the fridge heated up and the the the the pantry door door was never closed You notice it now when they’re all here The portion sizes quadruple ” explained Kevin in in in in an interview last year Today together together with wife Robyn they they they savour the the the the the the times they get get get the the the the the the whole brood together together There was little room for egos in in the the the the the the Barrett household The The kids had to muck in in in on on the the the farm complete chores put on on gumboots and and overalls and and do do their share of milking There were no favourites or slackers “They are are all all very down to earth ” ” Kevin said “Here on the farm it’s nice and and quiet and away from everything They just chill out ” ” HAWKE’S BAY BAY 3 3 POVERTY BAY BAY 0 MANAWATU-HOROWHENUA 3 3 WANGANUI 6 6 LIONS LIONS LIONS LIONS 25 LIONS LIONS LIONS LIONS 26 LIONS LIONS LIONS LIONS 12 LIONS LIONS LIONS LIONS 9 DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017
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