All Blacks: Barrett brothers rise to make history in the week when dad Smiley's stadium falls

Another barrier broken: It has taken 567 tests, played since 1903, but the All Blacks have finally done it.

Beauden, Scott and Jordie Barrett will be the first trio of brothers to start a test match, when they run on to Eden Park against France on Saturday night.

The Brownlie, Nicholls and Whitelock families have had three brothers who wore the black jersey, and they are amongst 46 sets of All Black brothers.

This is new territory tough, although Eden Park has already been a memorable place for the Barretts of Taranaki.

It is a bittersweet moment for Taranaki — New Plymouth will celebrate this history making achievement in a week when their rugby stadium has been condemned for safety issues.

Lock Scott and utility back Jordie came off the bench to join No. 10 Beauden when the All Blacks smashed Samoa early last year. Scott also joined his brothers on the field as a 78th minute replacement against the British and Irish Lions in the third test in Auckland.

Before the Lions series, Beauden talked of how farm life and typical sibling rivalry has a hardened their resolve. Backyard sport often went into extra time, with youngest brother Jordie particularly keen to get the final say.

"Mum would call for dinner and it (the game) would always go 10 minutes extra," Beauden said.

"It would be most likely him (Jordie) flying at you, getting up crying and he would come back that little bit harder next time."

The Whitelocks, Sam, George and Luke, are the only recent-era trio of All Black brothers.
The Brownlies (Cyril, Maurice, Laurie) and Nicholls (Mark, Ginger, Harold) played nearly a century ago.