Time to civilise those heathens: All Blacks v. Barbarians

[rowan]

Savea brothers go head-to-head. Wonder if Lizard can tell us how many times brothers have played against each other in games involving major test sides. I seem to recall a couple of incidents whereby brothers lined up for the All Blacks and Samoa back in the days when the eligibility laws were a bit more lax, but the memory's a bit fuzzy on the actual players themselves.

The only one I can think of off the top of my head was when Graeme and Stephen Bachop went-head-to-head twice in 1999 for Japan and Samoa respectively, after also appearing in the same All Blacks side together four times in 1994.

Gary Whetton played against the All Blacks in 1992 for the World XV but Alan had already been dropped after RWC1991.

There might be some others, possibly involving dual-qualified Islanders or Brits.

Thanks, yes, both the Umagas and Bashops had crossed my mind but I was just a bit fuzzy on the details. Cheers.

[Puja]

Sorry, I was thinking of the Tuilagis.

I don't believe so. Manu's been injured so often that I don't believe he's ever played against Samoa.

Interestingly, the Vunipolas actually refuse to play against one another competitively - when they were at different clubs having broken through, Mako was always rested at his request, and as soon as Billy's Wasps contract ran out, he signed with Saracens so that he wouldn't have to play vs Mako.

Compare and contrast to the Tuilagis who actively seek each other out to smash when playing on opposing club teams.

Puja

[Lizard]

Sorry, I was thinking of the Tuilagis.

I had checked them. Manu has never played against Samoa.

[Lizard]

Here's another one:

In 1964, Ian Clarke was on his last All Blacks tour, captaining several tour matches but playing no tests. He was selected for the Barbarians match at the end of the British Isles leg of the tour and played against his brother Don. Ian (a prop, no less) scored the Baabaa's only points - a 40 yard Goal From a Mark. Meanwhile, Don converted 6 of the All Blacks' 8 trues.

[Lizard]

And Scott Hastings played for Scotland in an uncapped game against a Barbarians side captained by his brother Gavin.

[rowan]

Interesting. I met a fellow once, a long time ago now, who told me the All Blacks were going to put 50 points on Wales. I laughed into his face and said 20 or 30, maybe, but he obviously didn't know the first thing about rugby if he thought the All Blacks were going to rack up a half century against the mighty Welshmen. Only later did I discover the fellow I had been talking to was 24-test veteran and vice-president of the NZRFU Ian Clarke. & the next day New Zealand beat Wales 49-6. So, you see, he was wrong.

[J Dory]

Interesting. I met a fellow once, a long time ago now, who told me the All Blacks were going to put 50 points on Wales. I laughed into his face and said 20 or 30, maybe, but he obviously didn't know the first thing about rugby if he thought the All Blacks were going to rack up a half century against the mighty Welshmen. Only later did I discover the fellow I had been talking to was 24-test veteran and vice-president of the NZRFU Ian Clarke. & the next day New Zealand beat Wales 49-6. So, you see, he was wrong.

Doesn't sound like you Rowan, bold prediction, belittling of someone with differing opinion (who is an actual subject matter expert), turns out you're wrong, guess that was the first and last time.

[rowan]

Nothing to get all infantile and snarly-faced about, Dory. Just a little anecdote that involved a certain degree of poetic licence. I did meet him though, and he did predict the All Blacks would score 50, and I didn't believe him. I was just sorry I didn't know who he was at the time, or I'd have hung around and chatted longer...

[morepork]

It holds about as much relevance as an anecdote about sensitive crimes in a punt with a chap named Norman.

[rowan]

You kids really need to get over the World Cup board's recommendation for 2023 host, you know. Not my fault they agreed with me after everybody aboard this forum (and a couple of others) had guffawed their heads off and assured me I didn't know what I was talking about and they most certainly knew better

[morepork]

Come again??

This thread went from opposing bothers to you being right on another thread?

[rowan]

& who was to blame for that? Doh!

[morepork]

Not sure if serious...

[rowan]

Well, the match is done and dusted so I don't think the content of this thread is anything to get too sanctimonious over, as it'll soon hit the scrap-heap.

I wonder if the 5 Clarke brothers turning out together in a first class match (for Waikato) is still a record.I think 7 members of the Morkel clan turned out in a first class match in South Africa once about a century ago but am pretty sure some of them were just cousins, not brothers.

[morepork]

Well, the match is done and dusted so I don't think the content of this thread is anything to get too sanctimonious over, as it'll soon hit the scrap-heap.

I wonder if the 5 Clarke brothers turning out together in a first class match (for Waikato) is still a record.I think 7 members of the Morkel clan turned out in a first class match in South Africa once about a century ago but am pretty sure some of them were just cousins, not brothers.

Check out the Ropati clan in representation for Auckland and (particularly) Mangere East in legue.

[cashead]

They came from fairly humble beginnings as well, and Iva is a big cheese in NZ education now.

[mcshinnertheligind]

Well, the match is done and dusted so I don't think the content of this thread is anything to get too sanctimonious over, as it'll soon hit the scrap-heap.

I wonder if the 5 Clarke brothers turning out together in a first class match (for Waikato) is still a record.I think 7 members of the Morkel clan turned out in a first class match in South Africa once about a century ago but am pretty sure some of them were just cousins, not brothers.

Check out the Ropati clan in representation for Auckland and (particularly) Mangere East in legue.

Iva played for the mighty Fev Rivers back in the 80's . Was a class player. Im sure he played alongside the baby faced assassin Brendan Tuuta

[rowan]

Tuuta was a Chatham Islander, right? I vaguely recall the guy. Not a very nice fellow, apparently; once punched a fan in a wheelchair or something...