Sunday, December 06, 2009
The Barbarians topple the All Blacks at Twickenham
The match was played more like a Test match than an exhibition, but reputations were on the line so nobody took too many risks. New Zealand scored tries through Ben Smith and Anthony Boric, but it was Springbok speedster Habana who stole the show.
"It hasn't quite sunk in yet. They were probably some of the easiest scores I've had. New Zealand haven't conceded a try on their last two tours to Europe so to score three is a real bonus," he said.
Skipper Victor Matfield was pleased to come out on top: "We watched a little bit of that game last night and to be part of something so great is awesome. We had a lot of fun but went out there and played like professionals.
"The guys are very happy. It's been one of the best weeks we've had as professional rugby players. We played for each other. We put our bodies on the line to play for the traditions the Barbarians stand for."
Mat Giteau was outstanding once again, as were centres Jamie Roberts and Jaque Fourie. Unfortunately the ball didnt head in Baa Baas right wing Joe Rokocokos direction much, but he enjoyed the opportunity, and the Haka.
"I didn't stare face to face with the boys, I just veered off and looked to one side and the other side. It was just intense, something I haven't experienced, but a good experience," he said.
"I'm glad I'm part of the history of Barbarians rugby, they've won against the All Blacks and I can talk to my kids about it. We just had an awesome week, socialised really well and got to know each other. All we wanted to do was bring a bit of attitude."
The second-string New Zealanders were disappointed with the result, but now head home after a successful tour.
"It is different to playing a Test match, but you still like to win these games," said captain Richie McCaw. "We went into our shells in the second half. It is an experience to learn from and a disappointing way to finish the tour," he added.
Despite the large crowd being fairly subdued for most of the match, there was a great sense of occasion and the spirit and togetherness shown by the players and coach Nick Mallet at the end of the match was good to see.
Man of the Match, Habana, summed it up nicely.
"The Barbarians take us back to what rugby is really about - the friendship and camaraderie. This game was a fantastic spectacle."
Time: 08:02
Posted at 11:49 am | 96 comments
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Viewing 96 comments
Anonymous December 06, 2009 12:20 pm

Well said Habana.
To the a.b's... tough luck boys. Good season and looking forward to next year. Well done Baa-baa's.
JoeF December 06, 2009 12:40 pm

Calon Lan December 06, 2009 12:49 pm

I love The Barbarians, for me they are probably the most important rugby team in existence as we don't get enough "real rugby" played these days by any international teams.
It's good to see players who aren't only worrying about what would happen if they made a mistake so always play it safe.
I'm a little worried to see Habana get into yet another scuffle, it seems to happen far too regularly for my liking. Not sure what's made him change like this?
Scotsdale December 06, 2009 1:24 pm

I think he gets in a few scuffles because he's so driven and pumped up (a good thing) to get involved, and is highly competitive.
Oh and, he should also know better than to taunt an alcoholic.. ;) xx
Anonymous December 06, 2009 1:28 pm

Ireland101 December 06, 2009 2:02 pm

Phil December 06, 2009 2:05 pm

The Aussies did well in support I thought, having a hand in 2 out of the 3 tries.
But great and entertaining rugby from both sides :)
Anonymous December 06, 2009 2:06 pm

Agree with Scotsdale on Habana, he isn't only about scoring tries, he is a wonderful defender and appears to be everywhere on the field.
Pulse December 06, 2009 2:15 pm

Great game all round, i had a feeling the Baa-Baa's would win, glad i was proved right! :D
Anonymous December 06, 2009 2:41 pm

The Baa-Baas are an inspirational model for all the kids around the world who want to play sport.
No doubts in my mind that "BaaBaas' rugby is the quintessential of sportmanship."
Jack December 06, 2009 3:16 pm

JPM December 06, 2009 3:40 pm

Go back and watch the 1973 game v. the All Blacks, the 1988 v. the Aussies or the 1994 game v. the Boks. Those games were against 1st string sides and had REAL test match intensity.
I was at Twickers for the 1992 game v. the Aussies and what made it great was the amazing matchups....Gibbs and Carling v. Horan and Little...Mick Skinner v. Willie O.....Tim Gavin v. Ben Clarke.
The unpurchased tix could have been given away to school kids or military veterans.
FrankyH December 06, 2009 3:54 pm

I watched and waited.. hoping for something great, but it never came. Habana tries were nice, with brilliance by Mitchell (better pickup than it looked imo) and Giteau, but the match lacked something for some reason.
The strange thing for me is, why would Henry not pick his strongest side? The All Blacks next play as a team again in June/July (I think). He has no real interest in Super 14, except that some players might be rested. But besides that, why not just let them play?
If anyone knows, please share.
On second thoughts, I suppose he wanted to give the youngsters a run in a 'not so important match'. Fair enough, but still a pity.
FrankyH December 06, 2009 3:57 pm

Anonymous December 06, 2009 4:28 pm

Flapjack December 06, 2009 4:55 pm

"why Giteau and Steyn kicked two penalties at goal?"
Yeah, I could maybe understand Giteau's - to keep the Baa Baa's in it, but when Steyn did it near the end of the match when they were already ahead...why? The game wasn't about beating NZ - the IRB doesn't count it in their rankings - it's exactly what Habana said, plus it's about showcasing great rugby...NOT "punishing" sides for infringements with 3 points.
Whatever, it was still a pretty good game - the tries happened at the exact right times to keep the game interesting...any time it started to dull, Habana was there to save the day! I thought Roberts and Fourie had a nice little relationship going, too - good to see everyone smiling the whole game (except Habana's scuffle with Cowan - that was odd).
mise December 06, 2009 6:04 pm

Fourie was caught by the oversized jersey he was wearing (not by the shorts, but the jersey if u see it from a different angle). Time for a bit of updating on that?
Re the atmosphere; its hard to develop one when there isn't a 'your team'. However, it was a lot better than many of the previous baa baa's matches of late (i.e. last 2-3 yrs). Should be hyped more - it could be a parallel to the Lions, PR wise.
But still with the kicking and the crowded pitch - the short sharp passes and angles form NZ is one possible way around this, but if even a baa baa's match is only reasonable in terms of running, we're up shit creek with a small ok paddle.
We need a better paddle.
Anonymous December 06, 2009 6:15 pm

Anonymous December 06, 2009 6:25 pm

Gary December 06, 2009 6:30 pm

As a welshman that game was a wonderful chance to enjoy the talent of those players in a way i simply can't when its an international test match. long may it continue.
Anonymous December 06, 2009 6:33 pm

Gary December 06, 2009 6:34 pm

JPM December 06, 2009 6:49 pm

Aussie center Quade Cooper arrested on burglary charge! oops
Anonymous December 06, 2009 6:50 pm

Madflyhalf December 06, 2009 8:47 pm

Of course, I know it's a pity, but they're over! :D
And tell him that Movember ends in the last day of November... :D
Great athmosphere, nice match, nice high from some players (my italian Perugini, Fourie, Gits, Roberts, Elsom... well, they're worldclass)! I also see a bright future for Ben Smith!
QuadeCooperTheConvic December 06, 2009 9:15 pm

Greiffel December 06, 2009 9:20 pm

Anonymous December 06, 2009 9:20 pm

Baa Baas v New Zealand should be a sell out with NZ fielding a full strength team and giving everything.
Eddingtonsons December 06, 2009 9:21 pm

Dave December 06, 2009 9:26 pm

Nice game, I feel a bit lost now that Andy Powell has cut his hair though.
Anonymous December 06, 2009 9:50 pm

:) December 06, 2009 9:54 pm

i mean mccaw is good, i dont care what anyone says, he is one of the number 1 flankers in the world....so lets try and just agree (he wouldnt have got as far as he did today if he wasnt!) (forget player of the year etc!)
So mccaw playing would have sped the ball up somewhat...then without carter there was less pinpoint accuracy with kicks...etc etc, so maybe the fact it wasnt a top ab side let the game become more running....although i do admit it was a bit quite on occasions!..
awesome video!
cheers RD
Anonymous December 06, 2009 10:59 pm

This typical aussie sportsman and model of decency won't be in any teams the way he's going - arrested by police on the weekend for burglary on the Gold Coast! What a loser! Oh yeah maybe if he was in the baabaas he wouldn't have been committing larceny! What a joke. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26449701-5003411,00.html
Matt_Drinks_New December 06, 2009 11:26 pm

I enjoy having a laugh at the convict thing mate - but you can't lump the rest of the country's sporting elite into the same group as him. If you do you're a tool. Where are you from by the way anonymous? Or don't you have the guts to put a name or origin to such a ridiculously insulting post for risk of having some muppet (as you did) dig up a news story and tie it to your national stereotype?
Well done Baa's btw - Habana is still class, Gits et al. played well too.
No.7 December 07, 2009 12:56 am

I've gotta say i think Tendai Mtawarira might have had, imo, the best game yet....there was huge hype when he came into boks and really ive yet to see him live up to it, i know he plays well, and he had a good run against the irish, but i feel he had a really good game for the baa baas.... and actually lived up to the hype!
i dunno, im sure the die hards will prove me wrong....
I wonder if its the fact this game is (im trying to choose my words, dont jump to a conclusion yet) not really worth anything in terms of rankings or final goals or stuff like that, only pride and the chance to play with some amazing players that sometimes brings out the best....
i have played some real grudgy games which are great in one aspect, but i cant help feel sometimes when you decide to just speed things up and relax that things work better.... and i guess maybe the freedom in this game allowed him to produce some finer rugby!
Cheers again RD
Anonymous December 07, 2009 2:22 am

Hendrick December 07, 2009 2:52 am

Anonymous December 07, 2009 3:04 am

I mean he's an idiot, obviously, but that's not relevant to the baa-baas beating NZ.
Anonymous December 07, 2009 3:09 am

No.7 December 07, 2009 3:30 am

te-tank December 07, 2009 3:37 am

Natalianation December 07, 2009 3:55 am

The precious New Zealand fans are starting to get arrogant again. Are they already forgetting the Springbok games?
Cameron Maxted December 07, 2009 4:37 am

Oh and yeah im counting this as a wallabies victory over the all blacks, the wallaby players were the only guys out there trying with all their heart
Smith December 07, 2009 4:50 am

Douglas December 07, 2009 6:59 am

Phil December 07, 2009 7:57 am

Please give it a rest. You're giving the rest of us Aussies a bad name.
There's a difference between pride and arrogance or bad sportsmanship.
What you're suggesting is not in line with the Barbarians ethos and is, frankly, embarrassing.
Ted December 07, 2009 7:58 am

That is what you're aiming for when you get all grown up.
wigsa December 07, 2009 8:37 am

A great match and despite the fact that 'it was played like a test match',it was a hell of a lot better than the vast majority of the Autumn internationals.Great to see the celebrations at the end.
Shaft December 07, 2009 9:00 am

Well said. I second that, as well as the other blokes who politely told the young guy to zip-it, Phil etc.
Nice match. Fantastic teamspirit and just a pity the top AB's didn't play. Good that McCaw did at least. Their youngsters do look good though. The try that Boric scored was setup from some brilliant handling. Made to look simple, but pure quality.
Habana, Giteau, Roberts, Burger - great games.
Maybe it's time they REALLY turn this into something big, and have a 3 Test series between a side like that, and #1 NZ team, or whoever is top in the rankings most consistently over the year?
That would be awesome, and would create huge hype and ticket sales too. One match Millennium, one Twickenham, and one Croke Park. Would be fun for the fans.
Bobby S December 07, 2009 9:00 am

Im sick of this rotation crap from henry. Some of the players on the a.b's are not International standard. That ben smith & Corey Jane look the goods though. Didnt even know who they were till they made the team.
okie December 07, 2009 9:26 am

Nice to see him getting some more play this year - the 4th Bledisloe match and now this against the Baa Baas. One of those players that you hate to see on the bench for 65 minutes, but I guess that's just how it is.
No.7 December 07, 2009 9:46 am

I dunno about you guys but i'd be pretty damn proud in that position!!!
yes it wasnt a top notch AB team, but we are talking about players who are good enough to be selected to play for the NZ international rugby team....
Anonymous December 07, 2009 10:02 am

felix December 07, 2009 10:32 am

There's been a lot of news coverage in NZ about the gap between the ABS 1st XV and the rrest of the squad - the boks seem to have the same problem.
Henry is just trying to expose a lot of the second string guys to some top class rugby so they aren't given a baptism of fire if someone gets injured and they get thrown into the 1st XV.
That said, i still would have preferred to see the best side line up. Carter would have made a big differnece and mccaw playing 90 mins as well.
Hopefully stephen donald has played his last match for the all blacks - he was playing 10 for 4 of the 5 defeats the all blacks have had this year and threw that habana interception.
if cruden and brett have a decent time in the Super 14s then we won't have to see donald in a black jersey ever again.
btw - i though burger was impressive - close to back to his best.
lastly - brian moore seems to have a real dislike for the NZ scrum halves - cown and leonard - and sugests this is a weak area.
imo cowan is top quality, a real scrapper - I appreciate he is arrogant and obnoxous (but aren't all good scrum halves?)
and leonard is a great running scrumhalf - he was really good against the baabaas both with ball in hand and in defence. i think the ab's are spoilt for choice in this position.
anyone agree/disagree?
te-tank December 07, 2009 11:07 am

Take a look at the irb official world rankings for once ?
1. New Zealand
2. South Africa
3. Australia
We might talk the talk but least we can walk the walk in the northern hemisphere ?
p.s McCaw = Player of the Year
Anonymous December 07, 2009 12:18 pm

Ubi December 07, 2009 12:36 pm

The Boks have all the trophies they can win in the SH. You were destroyed three times by them.
WGMDelko December 07, 2009 1:19 pm

I suspect Cameron Maxted is Quade Cooper.
Some good comments on this blog, apart from some Idiots.Good game to watch. Why the Springboks kick the ball and not give it to Habana is a mystery.
Something ive seen over the past 2 years about Mat g.
5 meters from the line he will never pass the ball, and yet 99% of his tries come from that. Everyone on defence knows it but still dont seem to stop him.
number7 December 07, 2009 2:31 pm

cameron maxted = internet hardman
really cameron im terrified that you might use caps lock or another exclamation mark that would really show us whos boss wouldnt it...
Anonymous December 08, 2009 9:24 am

Anonymous December 08, 2009 9:37 pm

te-tank December 08, 2009 11:36 pm

im sure your not my bro.
and just stating the facts.
and to Ubi.. they do help me sleep at night. and the fact that S.A looked like fools against France and Ireland also helps me sleep.
Anonymous December 09, 2009 1:35 am

We also demolished the Lions this year and didn't lose to some third rate French team on HOME SOIL. Sleep tight, don't let the ghost of world cup past bite.
Anonymous December 09, 2009 1:37 am

te-tank December 09, 2009 2:38 am

stop living in the past ?
and well see what happns next year.
s.a are yet to beat the all-blacks when they're full strength.
p.s use a nickname if you want people to take you seriously instead of hiding behind ''anonymous''
Anonymous December 09, 2009 4:38 am

The All Blacks were full strength during the trinations. When McCaw and Carter play, the Blacks are at full strength. NO MORE EXCUSES!
Now, please tell me what you did after the French quarter final?
Anonymous December 09, 2009 1:17 pm

Hayden December 09, 2009 1:44 pm

Anonymous December 09, 2009 6:43 pm

rugbyfan December 09, 2009 11:27 pm

extremely amusing.
Anonymous December 10, 2009 1:58 am

like im ashamed to be in the same company as someone like you!!
really it was 2 years ago....yeh we won but things have changed since, and things will change in the future....
its people like you that caused all the NH supporters to take every and any opportunity when we lost autumn games!
Anonymous December 10, 2009 4:50 am

McBull December 10, 2009 5:52 am

Anonymous December 10, 2009 12:59 pm

But like he said, AUS and NZ out....and they were a danger...then the defending champs being in the final.....
I think it makes it a bit more exciting....i mean imagine next WC if the boks get knocked out in the 1/4's or the pools....for their players it would be great to be in the final and try and retain the position....
But it wasnt a particularly exciting game....but i can appreciate it nonetheless!
Anonymous December 10, 2009 1:00 pm

te-tank December 10, 2009 9:12 pm

NZ 2011
Anonymous December 11, 2009 8:48 am

Anonymous December 11, 2009 1:52 pm

te-tank December 12, 2009 12:26 am

N.Z are weak at the moment ?
We beat every European team put in front of us. Wales, Italy, England, France. We were beaten fair and square by the baa baa's but the majority of the team were Southern Hemisphere. European teams are getting worse mate.
Face the facts.
Anonymous December 12, 2009 1:27 am

Anonymous December 12, 2009 2:00 am

Btw LOL at that guy who said that kiwis are the least arrogant supporters. I live in nz and it's just embarrasing listening to them, just like te-tank I can't stand them
Anonymous December 12, 2009 2:00 am

Btw LOL at that guy who said that kiwis are the least arrogant supporters. I live in nz and it's just embarrasing listening to them, just like te-tank I can't stand them
te-tank December 12, 2009 4:05 am

Anon above.
You bring shame to our country
Anonymous December 12, 2009 9:37 am

Why the fuck do you live there then?
What's wrong with you?
Anonymous December 12, 2009 10:50 pm

Anonymous December 12, 2009 10:53 pm

Anonymous December 13, 2009 3:31 am

nc















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