Time to civilise those heathens: All Blacks v. Barbarians

[rowan]

Savea brothers go head-to-head. Wonder if Lizard can tell us how many times brothers have played against each other in games involving major test sides. I seem to recall a couple of incidents whereby brothers lined up for the All Blacks and Samoa back in the days when the eligibility laws were a bit more lax, but the memory's a bit fuzzy on the actual players themselves.

[rowan]

Yes, that might have been it. I knew those guys too, though not particularly well.

Anyway, it's a strong enough Baabaas side but I think the All Blacks' momentum and cohesion will see them home comfortably enough, despite the changes to the starting lineup. 15-20 points.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Amazing to see no NH players in that side, there was a time when we'd marvel at the thought of some SH player from some far flung part of NZ or SA turning out for the BaaBaa's, how things have changed...

[zer0]

Why aren't there any? Clubs not willing to release players?

[Puja]

I'd say the choice of coach has a big say in the matter. SANZAR coach and SANZAR selection. I haven't heard anything about clubs not releasing players and, given Ackermann's there from Gloucester, I'd be surprised if it was the case.

There's a lot of injuries in England at the moment, but I'd still expect you could easily have unused capped players like Goode, Haskell, etc if you wanted them.

This XV shouldn't be any danger to NZ, even with them having rotated. 50 point win to the ABs.

Puja

[rowan]

Does seem a bit curious. You'd think the coaches might have been able to let the Baabaas know about fringe players they weren't intending to use in the AIs. Would've been a great chance for those guys to have a gallop.

[Puja]

Barbarians is an invitation side though, not a suggestion one. I'm guessing the coach just flat out didn't want anyone he didn't know already and doesn't watch any NH rugby. Shame really.

Puja

[J Dory]

Maybe they wanted to win.

[morepork]

Maybe they wanted to win.

Oooohh, you juvenile beatch.

[Puja]

Maybe they wanted to win.

Hey! I'll have you know that Haskell has been ineffective for some of the finest teams on the planet!

I don't know winning was ever a reasonable ambition for them. A scratch side, with very little time to prepare, is rarely competitive. England's second string usually make short work of stronger BaaBaas sides than this in their end of season game, so I expect New Zealand's seconds to have very little difficulty with putting away New Zealand's fifths.

Puja

[rowan]

Yes, that might have been it. I knew those guys too, though not particularly well.

Anyway, it's a strong enough Baabaas side but I think the All Blacks' momentum and cohesion will see them home comfortably enough, despite the changes to the starting lineup. 15-20 points.

Only 9 in the end after coming from behind. That's a least 4 times this year the All Blacks have been in arrears at the interval, I believe...

[rowan]

Drummond is a better half than TKB, Harris is not worthy of being an ABs hooker, Kaino is well past it. Fafita and Squire are the present and future. SBW works well with Crotty. Smith is daylights ahead of Perenara. Julian deserved to be left out after that showing, Props were okay but really missing the big guns. Mounga is a better 10 than Sapoanga.

[rowan]

[Mellsblue]

Big fan of Buckmam. Mainly because he looks like an 80’s porn star but also because he showed a handful of quality moments. My favourite was when the BaaBaa’s were playing out of their 22 in the first half. NZ’s defence were drifting across nicely, Buckman stepped back towards the defence to check and then went back on the outside, five seconds later Savea is on the halfway line. Class.

[rowan]

Hansen re Owens:

“Most of the banter came from Nigel,” said Hansen.

“It would’ve been good if he’d have reffed this one”

“It was a festival game wasn’t it, and he is like the rest of us,”

“He’s fallen into the trap of getting caught up in it. He did a good job – I’m not saying he didn’t, but there’s no doubt in my mind that he wasn’t as focused as he would have been if it was a Test match.”

“The crowd that came here wanted to see the rugby that was played and they wanted to see tries, hence why they clapped and then booed when the try under the post wasn’t awarded. It’s difficult for a player to get their head around that and it’s also difficult for the ref.”

http://sportlocker.ie/all-blacks-boss-s ... gel-owens/

[Lizard]

Savea brothers go head-to-head. Wonder if Lizard can tell us how many times brothers have played against each other in games involving major test sides. I seem to recall a couple of incidents whereby brothers lined up for the All Blacks and Samoa back in the days when the eligibility laws were a bit more lax, but the memory's a bit fuzzy on the actual players themselves.

The only one I can think of off the top of my head was when Graeme and Stephen Bachop went-head-to-head twice in 1999 for Japan and Samoa respectively, after also appearing in the same All Blacks side together four times in 1994.

Gary Whetton played against the All Blacks in 1992 for the World XV but Alan had already been dropped after RWC1991.

There might be some others, possibly involving dual-qualified Islanders or Brits.

[Lizard]

Sinali-Tui Latu played for Japan (after representing Tonga) against a Tongan side including his brother Peneili Latu in 1995.

I reckon that's actually it. Bachops, Umagas and Latus.

[Lizard]

Billy and Mako only ever played for England. Michael Tagicakibau never played against Samoa.

[rowan]

Savea brothers go head-to-head. Wonder if Lizard can tell us how many times brothers have played against each other in games involving major test sides. I seem to recall a couple of incidents whereby brothers lined up for the All Blacks and Samoa back in the days when the eligibility laws were a bit more lax, but the memory's a bit fuzzy on the actual players themselves.

The only one I can think of off the top of my head was when Graeme and Stephen Bachop went-head-to-head twice in 1999 for Japan and Samoa respectively, after also appearing in the same All Blacks side together four times in 1994.

Gary Whetton played against the All Blacks in 1992 for the World XV but Alan had already been dropped after RWC1991.

There might be some others, possibly involving dual-qualified Islanders or Brits.

Thanks, yes, both the Umagas and Bashops had crossed my mind but I was just a bit fuzzy on the details. Cheers.

[Puja]

Sorry, I was thinking of the Tuilagis.

I don't believe so. Manu's been injured so often that I don't believe he's ever played against Samoa.

Interestingly, the Vunipolas actually refuse to play against one another competitively - when they were at different clubs having broken through, Mako was always rested at his request, and as soon as Billy's Wasps contract ran out, he signed with Saracens so that he wouldn't have to play vs Mako.

Compare and contrast to the Tuilagis who actively seek each other out to smash when playing on opposing club teams.

Puja

[Lizard]

Sorry, I was thinking of the Tuilagis.

I had checked them. Manu has never played against Samoa.

[Lizard]

Here's another one:

In 1964, Ian Clarke was on his last All Blacks tour, captaining several tour matches but playing no tests. He was selected for the Barbarians match at the end of the British Isles leg of the tour and played against his brother Don. Ian (a prop, no less) scored the Baabaa's only points - a 40 yard Goal From a Mark. Meanwhile, Don converted 6 of the All Blacks' 8 trues.

[Lizard]

And Scott Hastings played for Scotland in an uncapped game against a Barbarians side captained by his brother Gavin.

[rowan]

Interesting. I met a fellow once, a long time ago now, who told me the All Blacks were going to put 50 points on Wales. I laughed into his face and said 20 or 30, maybe, but he obviously didn't know the first thing about rugby if he thought the All Blacks were going to rack up a half century against the mighty Welshmen. Only later did I discover the fellow I had been talking to was 24-test veteran and vice-president of the NZRFU Ian Clarke. & the next day New Zealand beat Wales 49-6. So, you see, he was wrong.

[J Dory]

Interesting. I met a fellow once, a long time ago now, who told me the All Blacks were going to put 50 points on Wales. I laughed into his face and said 20 or 30, maybe, but he obviously didn't know the first thing about rugby if he thought the All Blacks were going to rack up a half century against the mighty Welshmen. Only later did I discover the fellow I had been talking to was 24-test veteran and vice-president of the NZRFU Ian Clarke. & the next day New Zealand beat Wales 49-6. So, you see, he was wrong.

Doesn't sound like you Rowan, bold prediction, belittling of someone with differing opinion (who is an actual subject matter expert), turns out you're wrong, guess that was the first and last time.