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The All Blacks XV side to play the Barbarians named
By Sam Smith
The All Blacks XV team has been named to play the Barbarians at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday.
Brad Weber and Leicester Fainga’anuku have joined the All Blacks XV, having been with the All Blacks for the Japan and Wales matches. Braydon Ennor, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and TJ Perenara have joined the All Blacks squad ahead of their match against Scotland on Sunday.
All Blacks XV Head Coach Leon MacDonald said: “To go out last weekend and win against Ireland A was special, especially given it was our first match as the All Blacks XV. We need to build on that performance against the Barbarians on Sunday.”
“This is going to be an exciting and intense match, the Barbarians have a squad filled with international experience, there are a number of key players currently at the top of their game. We have kept some combinations from last week and added in new players, it has also been great to have the talented Brad Weber and Leicester Fainga’anuku join us from the All Blacks.”
“It’s going to be an incredibly proud moment for the players and their whanau, especially the players who will be wearing the All Blacks XV jersey for the first time,” added MacDonald.
1. Aidan Ross (26, Bay of Plenty / Chiefs)
2. Brodie McAlister (25, Canterbury / Crusaders)
3. Tamaiti Williams (22, Canterbury / Crusaders)
4. Josh Dickson (27, Otago / Highlanders)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu – Captain (29, Auckland / Blues)
6. Dominic Gardiner (21, Canterbury / Crusaders)
7. Tom Christie (24, Canterbury / Crusaders)
8. Luke Jacobson (25, Waikato / Chiefs)
9. Brad Weber (31, Hawke’s Bay / Chiefs)
10. Damian McKenzie (27, Waikato / Chiefs)
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku (23, Tasman / Crusaders)
12. Alex Nankivell (26, Tasman / Chiefs)
13. Levi Aumua (28, Tasman / Moana Pasifika)
14 Bryce Heem (33, Auckland / Blues)
15 Shaun Stevenson (25, North Harbour / Chiefs)
16. Andrew Makalio (30, Tasman / Highlanders)
17. Finlay Brewis (22, Canterbury / Crusaders)
18. Pouri Rakete-Stones (27, Hawke's Bay / Hurricanes)
19. Zach Gallagher (21, Canterbury / Crusaders)
20. Christian Lio-Willie (24, Otago / Crusaders)
21. Cortez Ratima (21, Waikato / Chiefs)
22. Josh Ioane (27, Otago / Chiefs)
23. Bailyn Sullivan (24, Waikato / Hurricanes)
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It might be legal but he’s sailing pretty close to the wind. Not a lot needs to go wrong for Finau to end up in the bin. Was it late? Not quite, but borderline. High? A couple of CM within the laws, no room for error with that one. Did he wrap the arms? There was a token effort to wrap one arm, the intent was clearly to hit with the shoulder. So yeah, it’s legal, just. But as we all know, a very slight change in the dynamics could easily have him seeing red. Hopefully not when it really matters.
Go to commentsYou forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.
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