After more than two months of no rugby activity due to the Covid-19 lockdown, a familiar name made his mark for a new club as New Zealand’s five Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa teams hit the training pitch on Monday.
Beauden Barrett is still yet to make his much-anticipated debut for the Blues but that didn’t stop him from entering their history books with a record time on the Bronco Test.
Barrett blitzed the grueling aerobic fitness test in a club record time of 4.12. The impressive time was also a personal best for Barrett and was two seconds clear of halfback Jonathan Ruru.
Introducing the 6 rugby brothers you didn’t know about… including the other Wilkinson
Did you know that Martin Johnson and Jonny Wilkinson both had brothers who played professional rugby?
While all of the focus, fame and attention can fall on certain members of the family, it is easy to forget that there can be other siblings plugging away in the game.
But who are some of these men? And where do or did they play?
Mark Wilkinson, brother of Jonny
He spent his three-year professional career between 2002 and 2005 at Newcastle Falcons, alongside his brother, Jonny, predominantly playing as a Centre.
Tom Cowan-Dickie, brother of Tom
A product of the Penzance & Newlyn RFC’s youth section, Tom initially developed his rugby through the club and at Mounts Bay School, as did his younger brother Luke. The 28-year-old, who also plays hooker, first joined the Cornish Pirates in 2010, and signed a new two-year deal in May 2020.
Callum Watson, brother of Anthony & Marcus
The scrum-half was plighted by injuries towards the end of his time with London Irish and subsequently was not offered a new contract at the club; joining Loughborough Students as a result. Very much in the shadow of brothers Anthony and Marcus at the moment.
Graham Hogg, brother of Stuart
Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg’s brother, Graham, has played for Scotland in the IRB Sevens World Series as well as representing his country at under-18, under-19 and under-20. A very talented player, his career did not take off in the same way as his younger brother due to a number of serious knee injuries.
Jerry Sexton, brother of Johnny
He is the younger brother of Ireland fly-half Johnny. Sexton represented Leinster Rugby at schoolboy level but did not make the professional academy. The lock then moved to France to play lower level rugby before joining Exeter Chiefs. Following further stints with London irish and Jersey Reds, Sexton joined South African Pro14 side Southern Kings on a three-year contract ahead of the 2019–20 season.
Will Johnson, brother of Martin
He is perhaps best known for being Martin's younger brother, but yet played over 200 times for Leicester and gained a number of caps for England 'A'. A good club man, known for technique and work rate.
