New Zealand Rugby's confirmed the long-rumoured game against the Barbarians to kick off the All Blacks end of year tour in early November.The fixture will be staged at Twickenham on November 4. But England's governing Rugby Football Union, which owns Twickenham, could not persuade their New Zealand counterparts to change course and the All Blacks will play the Barbarians, rugby union's most celebrated invitational side, instead. "We are delighted to announce the match against the Barbarians," said NZR chief executive Steve Tew. "Like the All Blacks, the Barbarians are part of rugby's rich history and the match later this year is a befitting way to mark our 125th anniversary. The Barbarians also won their last meeting at Twickenham, when Springbok wing Bryan Habana's hat-trick helped secure a 25-18 victory.

Source: New Zealand Herald May 06, 2017 19:30 UTC