A small but unique collection of All Blacks jerseys, played in by the only grandfather, father and son to play rugby for New Zealand, was presented this week to the New Zealand Rugby Museum in
History preserved as three generations of Barry All Blacks jerseys given to New Zealand Rugby Museum
![Phil Gifford](https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/nzme/d4053b83-3446-4ccd-90bc-be116b2b8b89.png)
Phil Gifford
Liam Barry during his stint as coach of North Harbour. Photo / Getty Images
Ned died six weeks later, aged 88.
![Liam Barry holds his grandfather Ned's 1930s All Blacks jersey, with his daughter Nieve wearing his 1990s jersey, and his mother Justine holding her late husband Kevin's 1960s jersey. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/JO5TRNYTEB6UNQ3U6WJFN4LXEY.jpg?auth=65c1ef3d2cc7dc44c21c5b4fdbac70324d85748f01c94726f96d8d41875a9b57&width=16&height=17&quality=70&smart=true)
This year Liam sent an email around the family, and there was universal agreement that the jerseys would be better off being displayed for rugby fans than hidden away in wardrobes.
Now the assistant coach of the New Zealand men's sevens team, Liam says there was never any pressure about the All Blacks legacy when he and his brothers Mike (who played for Northland and had an All Black trial) and Tim were growing up.
Liam does remembers fondly how grandfather Ned had very strong views on rugby.
"As he became more deaf his opinions when he was watching a game on television became louder and louder," Liam said.
Ned's jersey is the only one given to the museum not in its original condition.
"At some stage my grandmother Mona cut about a third of the bottom of the jersey off, apparently so one of the kids could wear it to a school fancy dress."