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| (C) @Barbarian_FC |
Beauden Barrett will captain New Zealand for the first time on Saturday when they face the Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium.
The fly-half has made 59 appearances in the famous black jersey and will become the 132nd player to captain an All Blacks side. In total 68 players have had the honour of captaining an All Blacks Test side while another 63 have captained the side in non-Tests like one.
This match against the Barbarians marks the start of New Zealand’s five-Test tour and it's live on Sky Sports Action from 2.30pm on Saturday. Following this outing, the world leaders will face France in a capped Test match at the Stade de France before duelling with a ‘French XV’ three days later in Lyon.
Once New Zealand have finished in France they are off to BT Murrayfield to face Gregor Townsend’s Scotland. The party will finish their tour at the Principality Stadium and that will be an opportunity for Steve Hansen and Warren Gatland to renew their acquaintance!!
Back to Twickenham Stadium and three uncapped individuals, 20-year-old sensation Asafo Aumua, prop Tim Perry and back Matt Duffie, are named on the bench.
Of the trio, most will have their focus firmly placed on the 20-year-old hooker who shot to stardom during this year’s World Rugby U20s Championship. The forward had a barn-storming competition and in particular took the final against England by storm. A hat-trick of tries was the result of his powerful and effervescent performance and coming off the bench in this match should be the perfect way to introduce him to Test-level rugby. He’s likely to learn a thing or two over the course of this tour but something tells me that we might just see him fly in South West London this weekend!
Needless to say, New Zealand's Steve Hansen is looking forward to the opportunity that this match provides to his side.
Needless to say, New Zealand's Steve Hansen is looking forward to the opportunity that this match provides to his side.
“It’s very rare that we get the chance to play a non-Test match in the modern era and it’s given us the chance to give our full squad an opportunity to stake claims for future matches and gain valuable big-match experience" said Hansen to allblacks.com.
The world-famous invitational side are being led by Robbie Deans who has named a 26-man squad for this match against New Zealand and for their next game against Tonga at Thomond Park.
Deans was the man who guided them to a 31-31 draw with South Africa at Wembley last year and also to their 22-21 victory over Ireland in May 2015, so he knows a thing or two about leading the unique side and getting them set for action.
Deans was the man who guided them to a 31-31 draw with South Africa at Wembley last year and also to their 22-21 victory over Ireland in May 2015, so he knows a thing or two about leading the unique side and getting them set for action.
A name that jumps out from the 26 is that of Julian Savea alongside another hugely physical presence in their backs Taqele Naiyaravoro.
In the forwards Steven Luatua, who is currently plying his trade at Bristol RFC, Gloucester’s Ruan Ackermann and London Irish’s Ben Franks are some of the more recognisable names to those that follow their rugby here in the Northern Hemisphere."The Bus is coming!" - Aaron Smith talks about what it will be like to face @juliansavea7 when the #AllBlacks take on @Barbarian_FC. pic.twitter.com/i86jtggjZz— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) 31 October 2017
The match itself will be the 11th time that New Zealand have played the Barbarians in their 127-year history and Steve Hansen has promised that it will be a ‘very entertaining match’.
A quick look at the Met Office website has told me that conditions should be perfect! A spot of rain is currently forecast for early on Saturday morning before it passes and leaves a dry and crisp day. Fingers crossed that they are spot on with this forecast!
The Barbarians is a beloved part of world rugby and something that should be cherished greatly by our sport and, I for one, can't wait to see them take on a motivated and enigmatic New Zealand side at Twickenham Stadium.
Barbarians: Forwards: Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester), Dominic Bird (Chiefs & New Zealand), Willie Britz (Sunwolves), Sam Carter (Brumbies & Australia), Simone Favaro (Fiamme Oro), Ben Franks (London Irish & New Zealand), Dillon Hunt (Highlanders), Steven Luatua (Bristol & New Zealand), Atu Moli (Chiefs), Kwagga Smith (Lions), Ruan Smith (Toyota Verblitz), Adriaan Strauss (Bulls & South Africa), Akker van der Merwe (Sharks), Jacques van Rooyen (Lions), Luke Whitelock (Highlanders & New Zealand)
Backs: Vince Aso (Hurricanes), George Bridge (Crusaders), Richard Buckman (Highlanders), Mitchell Drummond (Crusaders), Robert du Preez (Stormers), Andy Ellis (Kobelco Steelers & New Zealand), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders) Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs & Australia), Julian Savea (Hurricanes & New Zealand), Nic Stirzaker (Rebels) Harold Vorster (Lions).
New Zealand: 15. David Havili, 14. Waisake Naholo, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 12. Ngani Laumape, 11. Seta Tamanivalu, 10. Beauden Barrett (c) 9. TJ Perenara, 1. Kane Hames, 2. Nathan Harris, 3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Vaea Fifita, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Jerome Kaino. Replacements: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Tim Perry, 18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen,19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Sam Cane, 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22. Lima Sopoaga, 23. Matt Duffie
New Zealand: 15. David Havili, 14. Waisake Naholo, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 12. Ngani Laumape, 11. Seta Tamanivalu, 10. Beauden Barrett (c) 9. TJ Perenara, 1. Kane Hames, 2. Nathan Harris, 3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Vaea Fifita, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Jerome Kaino. Replacements: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Tim Perry, 18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen,19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Sam Cane, 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22. Lima Sopoaga, 23. Matt Duffie
In case you fancy a trip to Twickenham Stadium on Saturday to watch this game live HERE is the link that you need to have a little look at tickets! Otherwise catch the match on Sky Sports Action from 2.30pm.
