Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Barbarians against the All Blacks

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Barbarians against the All Blacks - Cardiff Arms Park 1993

As is tradition, the All Blacks played the Barbarians on their final match of their end of year tour overseas tour in 1993. The match was played at a packed Cardiff Arms Park, the same ground that hosted the legendary 1973 meeting between the same teams.

The 1993 crop of All Blacks included the likes of Zinzan Brooke, Frank Bunce, Inga Tuigamala, and a young Jeff Wilson, who was a goal kicker at the time and notched up 50 points on tour.

The Barbarians had the Irishman Eric Elwood at flyhalf, along with Lions legends Scott Gibbs and Scott Quinnell. Sporting a full head of hair was Neil Back on the flank. Frenchman Olivier Roumat scrummed down at lock alongside Paddy Johns, while Wallaby Ewan Mckenzie played in the front row.

Wilson, only 20 at the time, made his Test debut for the All Blacks against Scotland on that tour. He got them off to a good start in this match with his accurate goal kicking, which was followed by a rather dodgy looking try from a lineout right on the Baa-Baa's try line.

Powerhouse wing Inga Tuigamala then scored a sensational try as the Kiwis opened it up and he stormed over showing his trademark pace and power. Look out for his run that flattened Gibbs, and then his nice hit later in the match.

Elwood kept the Barbarians in the match with some excellent goal kicking before his crosskick almost resulted in a try for Nigel Walker. Take note of the clearing kick and charge down that followed.

Lock Ian Jones then got on the end on one of the great All Blacks tries after some superb passing between backs and forwards. The All Blacks won the spectacle 25-12 in the end.

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The same two sides will meet again at Twickenham this year on December 5th. It will be the 10th fixture between them since first meeting in 1954.

The Barbarians squad has been announced and will include Lions players Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts, and Andy Powell, as well as Springboks Bryan Habana, Victor Matfield, and Fourie Du Preez. Wallabies Matt Giteau, Rocky Elsom and George Smith will also play, and to make things interesting, Joe Rokocoko will line up against his countrymen. Full squad here.
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Time: 06:33

Inga the Winger! Good night Scott Gibbs. :)

Some really nice passing there. Refreshing to see.

By Scotsdale, at November 25, 2009 12:00 pm
I love the way Fitspatrick picks up Jones at the end - like a doorman slinging out a drunk...

By Kev, at November 25, 2009 12:04 pm
Yeah I see that they loaded the Barbarians side with some Bokke players. I guess they're going to have to lead my example and show the other players how to beat the All Blacks.

If the Barbarians win, it means the Springbok players in that team have beaten the All Blacks 4 times this year... And 0 losses. Such power.

By Jean, at November 25, 2009 12:14 pm
Nice way to jinx it Jean, thanks boet!

Anyway, Nick Mallet is the coach, and it's interesting (and awesome) to see that he's included a few Italian players too. Joe Roks on the wing will also be fascinating. Overall it's a helluva strong side and if they can gel (and stay sober), should be able to beat the AB's.

This 1993 match was great to see. Skinny old Ian Jones eh. These days they'd stick him in the gym (aka Isaac Ross). Whereas back then he was considered one of the best locks of his time. Funny that.

By Dave, at November 25, 2009 12:21 pm
Dave, the only reason why this Barbarian side will lose is like you said, they don't have enough time to gel and train OR because of the lesser quality players playing along side our Boks. Lets hope not one Bok is on the bench.

By Jean, at November 25, 2009 1:07 pm
RD, why do you never post classic encounters before an important French match? You do that with every nation apart the French, why?

There are plenty of classic encounters between the french and the ABs, i hope you'll publish one before the big match in Marseille...

By Anonymous, at November 25, 2009 1:34 pm
Jean you are being quite staggeringly arrogant. I would have thought after the Boks' recent losses guys like you would quit with the whole 'Boks are supermen everyone else is rubbish' line.

You are the best in the world AT THE MOMENT and one day it will be someone else. Try to have some humility.

By Ted, at November 25, 2009 1:42 pm
I remember this game and it was pretty dull. The video doesn't show how many searing line breaks Scott Gibbs made.....before he went off with a nasty knee injury which put him out of action for a year, and out of union until 1996.

Funny to see Gibbs get run over by Inga.....but this is pre-league Gibbs...not as big but very probably better speed and acceleration.

This was a pretty week Barbarians side if truth be told. NZ had also lost 15-9 to England the week before.....

By Anonymous, at November 25, 2009 1:57 pm
Dave: Of course this was pre-lineout lifting in 1993..so skinny tall jumpers like Jones were made for it.

By Anonymous, at November 25, 2009 2:23 pm
"I would have thought after the Boks' recent losses guys like you would quit with the whole 'Boks are supermen everyone else is rubbish' line."

You seem to think the top 15 team lost to the two club sides, why?

By Anonymous, at November 25, 2009 2:34 pm
Oh and glad to see so many Springboks representing. Shows the strength of South African rugby.

By Anonymous, at November 25, 2009 2:34 pm
Ted, it's not arrogant if you do it and back it up.

By Anonymous, at November 25, 2009 2:42 pm
If Jean was one of the Boks himself, winner of all the accolades that the team from SA have garnered this year, sneeringly calling the other players on the Barbarians side 'lesser' (like Joe Rokochoko for heaven's sake, it's not like the other players are amateurs) would still be arrogant.

But Jean isn't one of the Boks, he is a Bok fan and one who thinks because his team is the best in the world THIS YEAR he can dismiss everyone else as useless.

As I said before, particularly seeing as the Boks have been beaten recently, it is arrogant to make out that the SA players are supermen. They are very good but they're not bloody immortal.

By Ted, at November 25, 2009 3:09 pm
No worries Ted, lets see how quiet they get after the boys in green get them on Saturday.

By SAM^2, at November 25, 2009 3:18 pm
Ted, I think he's having a go at the AB's, not saying that the Bok players are supermen.. Slightly arrogant sounding, but simply taking the 'P' out of the AB's after they had such a poor year against the Boks. It doesn't happen often, so I think there-in is the (albeit subtle) humour.

And yeah, good point Anonymous..

By Dave, at November 25, 2009 4:35 pm
Going high on Inga...BAD MOVE!!...even if you are Scott Gibbs!

The 1997 version of Gibbs might have had a chance.

By Anonymous, at November 25, 2009 6:05 pm
Bunce -- the man was just pure class. Great defense on the touch line.

By Anonymous, at November 25, 2009 6:23 pm
The first try was a clear knock on. Inga lost the ball as he was grounding it for the second try...and god awful defending from Stanger. Inga had to stop to get the pass and he just went for Ellis on the loop.....

By Anonymous, at November 25, 2009 7:57 pm
The non-quota Boks only lost to France so far on the EOYT, Ted. And even then it was a weakened side to that of the Tri-Nations victors.

I don't need to argue with you, my team are World Champions, yours isn't.

By Jean, at November 25, 2009 10:35 pm
Well I think that demonstrates my point very well. Cheers.

By Ted, at November 26, 2009 8:51 am
Jean said...
I don't need to argue with you, my team are World Champions, yours isn't.

Nobody's really arguing with you, they're just pointing out that you're a twerp no matter where your team is ranked.

By Jimmy, at November 26, 2009 9:43 am
Well said Jimmy - but not all saffas are like that, so best not to generalise, as I see happening often here.

Back to the video..

It's interesting that Wilson kicked, and kicked pretty well, but I personally never saw him kick again in his career. I presume that's because of the likes of Andrew Mehrtens, but he only came later and Wilson seemed pretty good anyway?

By Scotsdale, at November 26, 2009 9:49 am
I miss the arms park!! What a fantastic match.

By Unknown, at November 26, 2009 1:56 pm
Jean, you are a doos.

I bet you supported England at the 03 world Cup. You sound like a typical glory hunter and not a true Bok fan.

Cant wait to hit Dublin and enjoy a few pints with some true rugby fans, result aside. :)

By Anonymous, at November 26, 2009 4:30 pm
Thanks for that post. Bill Mclaren will never be replaced. A great change in a short time in rugby. Some legendary names in that clip

By Anonymous, at November 27, 2009 7:22 pm