He may be the oldest and most-capped of his family, but All Blacks veteran Beauden Barrett has returned to the national team to find he has somehow slid to the bottom of the pecking order among his siblings.
The two-time World Player of the Year chose to forego this season's Super Rugby Pacific competition - and his Blues' drought-breaking triumph - for a stint at Japanese club Toyota Verblitz, but is back to reclaim his black jersey under new NZ coach Scott Robertson.
With the departure of previous coach Ian Foster and a core of experienced campaigners to offshore contracts or retirement, Barrett, 33, has seen the previous order turned on its head, with younger brother Scott now captaining the side and even younger brother Jordie his deputy.
Beauden has previously skippered the team, so his apparent demotion creates a potentially awkward dynamic in the team huddle.
"We haven't been in the house together," he admitted. "I'm rooming with Jordie this week, so I'm super proud.
"As a big brother, I'll be right behind him, supporting him. We're all in it together ultimately."
Current World Player of the Year Ardie Savea will share vice-captaincy duties with Jordie Barrett, but was one of the redhot favourites for outright leadership, once incumbent Sam Cane announced his impending international retirement.
Significantly, Savea stood in admirably for Cane during injury absences in recent years, but Robertson has opted to rekindle his relationship with Scott Barrett, who was his captain during much of his championship reign at the Crusaders.
"My heart is whatever is best for the team," insisted Savea. "I'll lead in my own areas and massive congrats to 'Scooter' - he's the man.
"Me and Jordie will be right beside him, and doing anything we can to make this team better and win games. For me, I'll lead wherever the team needs me to lead and I can't wait to get stuck in, and try and win this series."
Like everyone else, the players are excited and nervous to see how Robertson uses the talent at his disposal, with the expectation he will take a very different approach to Foster.
Savea will undoubtedly play a major role in the upcoming fixtures against England, with the biggest questions over which loose forward position he will fill and how others will fit around him.
After 119 tests and three World Cups, Beaden Barrett may be phased out of a lead role over the coming cycle and, with the departure of Richie Mo'unga, Chiefs star Damian McKenzie seems poised to claim the No.10 jersey.
Robertson's squad contains only one other specialist fullback - Stephen Perofeta - so Barrett's initial assignment may see him keeping the No.15 warm, at least until Will Jordan returns from injury.
