All Blacks opted for Barbarians

THE All Blacks would have played England in November had the Rugby Football Union arranged the test but the existing fixture against the Barbarians was always their preference, New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said yesterday.

The match against the Barbarians on November 4 was confirmed on Wednesday, ending the hopes of some in England that the Six Nations champions could pit their wits against the world champions before their next scheduled meeting late next year.

Tew confirmed that discussions had been held over what would have been a highly lucrative Twickenham clash between the top two teams in the world but that coach Steve Hansen had made it clear that the Barbarians was always his first choice. – Reuters