No, not the musical duo from the Kentish coast, sorry to disappoint the disciples, but New Zealand’s Barrett Brothers, Beauden, Scott and Jodie, who made rugby history this week, becoming the first trio of sibblings to play for the reigning World Champion All Blacks at a World Cup when they cruised past Canada, 63-0 in their second Pool match at the Oita Stadium in Japan. To add to the occasion all three scored tries. It’s not uncommon for two brothers to play for the hallowed AB’s. There have been 46 sets of siblings who have worn the famous black jersey and there has been three other trios, but they did not play all at the same time or at a World Cup.

They were the first trio of brothers to be selected for an All Black starting lineup XV when all three were picked to play in the first test against France at Auckland’s Eden Park in 2018, a match won by the AB’s, 52-11.

Twenty-seven year-old two-time World Rugby Player of the Year and the oldest, but shortest at 6’2″, Beauden is the most capped and plays at first five-eighth as we Kiwis call it, but internationally known as fly-half although at this World Cup he’s at full-back. Scott (25), the tallest at 6’6″ is a lock forward and at times a flanker on the side of the scrum. The youngest, Jordie (22) is 6’5″ and plays pretty much in every back position, regarded as one of the world’s most skilful utility players. Sport was always in the Barrett DNA. Their father, Kevin played provincial rugby for Taranaki in 167 games and their mother Robyn was a renowned runner, netballer and basketballer. When Kevin retired from the game, he stated that he was “going to breed a few All Blacks”, and indeed he did. Growing up on a dairy farm on the West Coast of New Zealand’s North Island meant they had plenty of ‘backyard’ to practice in.

I found out where the ABs were staying in London last November as they prepared for the Autumn International against England, so quickly did this sketch of the ‘ABarrett Bros’, as I labelled them, and they signed it for me.