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Maori All Blacks upset in Bordeaux

By Online Editors
Barbarians players celebrate

An unfancied French Barbarians outfit has taken down the Maori All Blacks in Bordeaux today, triumphing 19-15 in a scrappy game.

Just a week after their top side counterparts battled it out in Twickenham, the stacked Maori side couldn't kick on from their 51-9 thrashing of Canada in the tour's other match.

Flanker Baptiste Chouzenoux crossed for the only try in the first half, leaping on a charge down of first five Jackson Garden-Bachop kick. Adrien Pelissie crossed from a rolling maul in the second half to give the home side a healthy lead.

The Maori eventually hit back through Sean Wainui, and there were farcical scenes in the closing stages as it took the referee and TMO almost five minutes to award a penalty try.

It was too little, too late however, and the Barbarians claimed the upset win in front of 30,000 noisy fans.

The loss ends a disappointing season for the Maori All Blacks, who also suffered a heavy defeat to the British & Irish Lions in Rotorua in June.