Tragedy has struck the All Blacks' Barrett brothers, with the loss of their "adored Granddad Ted", who has died at Taranaki Base Hospital, aged 78.
Just as the national team hits the business end of the Rugby World Cup in Japan, their family are greiving the death of Edward Michael Barrett, who passed away on Sunday.
He was reportedly surrounded by wife Mary and family members.
"Dearly loved and cherished husband of Mary for 57 years," says a funeral notice in the NZ Herald.
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"Loving father and adored 'Granddad Ted' of all his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren."
The All Blacks wrapped up their World Cup pool campaign over the weekend, when their final clash with Italy was called off, due to Typhoon Hagibis.
They now face Ireland in the quarter-finals next Saturday. Granddad Ted's parents were both Irish.
The funeral notice has asked that, instead of flowers, donations should be made to the Upside Down Education Trust, helping people with Down Syndrome.
Zara Barrett - younger sister to Beauden, Scott and Jordie - has Down Syndrome.
Newshub.
