All Blacks XV fight back against Saffa-laden BaaBaas

MATCH REPORT: Since their inaugural season in 2022, the All Blacks XV have lost just one contest. With their first match-up of 2025, they had a chance to enact revenge in a rematch against the Barbarians.

After 24 minutes of action at Gtech Community Stadium, that bid of revenge looked unlikely as the Barbarians claimed a 19-0 lead and looked the better of the two sides throughout most of the opening half. But New Zealand’s kicking game kept play moving and wore their opponents down.

The second half was all one-way traffic, with the Kiwis running in 26 unanswered points in addition to seven claimed late in the opening period. When the full-time whistle was blown, a 33-19 win was registered for the New Zealand development team, with Etene Nanai-Seturo awarded Man of the Match.

The big frame of Asenathi Ntlabakanye made light work of Xavier Roe’s defence beside the ruck to score the first try of the game for the Barbarians.

The halfback almost made up for it moments later when the race for his chip kick was won by David Havili, and while the ball was placed perfectly, the All Black couldn’t manage to ground it cleanly.

A variety of attacking kicks featured heavily for the Kiwis, while the South African-heavy Barbarians scrum looked difficult to contain in the opening scrums of the match, winning a penalty on the third time around.

Josh Jacomb missed touch after being tackled in the air, forfeiting a prime attacking opportunity and paying for it as the Barbarians executed with the ensuing possession.

New Zealand’s defence resisted momentarily, but Evan Roos collected the ball from a strong Ntlabakanye carry and exploited a half-gap in the defence.

The Springbok scoring onslaught continued through Bongi Mbonambi when a Barbarians line-out drive made short work of New Zealand’s defence.

The Kiwis managed to wrestle some momentum back their way after going down 0-19, and after a couple of line-out drives were comfortably dismissed by the Brabraians, a centrefield Kiwi scrum was good enough for Devan Flanders to get the ball away to Roe, who launched a wide ball to Caleb Tangitau to score in the corner, albeit with a suspicious grounding.

That left the match at 19-7 heading into the break.

Josh Jacomb’s kicking game starred to start the second period, but even with the territory it won, New Zealand’s attack couldn’t make much headway in the Barbarians’ 22.

The men adorned with the iconic white and black stripes certainly created more game-breaking moments, and it was often the Kiwi captain Dalton Papali’i in the right spot at the right time to make a defensive play.

A Xavier Numia carry got New Zealand on the front foot, with Caleb Tangitau chip and chase, then pinning the Barbarians on their tryline, where the ball came loose and Roe pounced for a try.

While the Barbarians won possession back on the restart, they lost it with their first carry into contact, and a David Havili kick through saw Tangitau go close to scoring his second.

The winger would claim that second try before the hour mark courtesy of an intercept. The conversion tied the game at 19 apiece.

The Barbarians’ attack generated little momentum in the third quarter, but New Zealand’s execution with their kicking game also dropped off.

Etene Nanai-Seturo collected a loose Barbarians pass and fresh onto the field, one-cap All Black Kyle Preston found himself as first receiver and broke the line to score, handing New Zealand their first lead of the game.

That lead was extended when an under pressure Barbarians clearance was charged by Nanai-Seturo, bouncing David Havili’s way who went over the tryline untouched.

The scorers:

Barbarians:
Tries: Ntlabakanye, Roos, Mbonambi
Cons: Du Preez 2

For All Blacks XV:
Tries: Tangitau 2, Roe, Preston, Havili
Cons: Jacomb 4

Teams

Barbarians: 15 Max Mallins, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Rob du Preez, 9 Rhodri Williams, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Fitz Harding, 6 Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Ernest van Ryhn, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Oli Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Alistair Vermaak, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Brad Webber, 22 Dan du Plessis, 23 Rhyno Smith.

New Zealand XV: 15 Jacob Ratumatavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 David Havilli, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Devan Flanders, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Kaylum Boshier, 5 Caleb Delany, 4 Josh Beehre, 3 George Dyer, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Josh Fusitua, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Sean Withy, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rivez Reihana, 23 Braydon Ennor.

Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

Match Report by Ned Lester, @RugbyPass