THE Barbarians have signed up one of New Zealand’s greatest-ever try scorers to take on the All Blacks.
World Cup winner Julian Savea will line up for the famous invitation club for the tour which involves the Killik Cup match at Twickenham on November 4 and the match against Tonga in Limerick on November 10.
Savea was the 2015 World Cup’s leading try scorer and has touched down 46 tries in 54 appearances, appearing at international level most recently in the final drawn Test of the British & Irish Lions series before his surprise omission from this year’s Rugby Championship.
Only Doug Howlett (49 in 62) has scored more New Zealand tries. Savea is level in second place with greats Christian Cullen and Joe Rokocoko — but none of his rivals has a better strike rate.
Julian Savea in action against England at Twickenham
Savea will face the Haka for the first time at Twickenham as the Barbarians attempt to emulate their famous wins of 1973 and 2009 when one of rugby’s most famous rivalries is renewed.
Savea is joined by another New Zealand World Cup winner in Andy Ellis and five of Super Rugby’s brightest stars: Mitchell Drummond and Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), Dominic Bird and Atu Moli (Chiefs), and Dillon Hunt (Highlanders).
Tickets to the Barbarians v New Zealand Killik Cup match at Twickenham are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Tickets to the Barbarians v Tonga at Thomond Park, Limerick, are available from www.ticketmaster.ie