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The weather was typically British outside as I put my feet up a few days ago to watch the Barbarians play New Zealand at Twickenham and check out the NETELLER advertising placement. Fully expecting the All Blacks to make it a walk over, I idly picked through sports pages and checked out the squad. Jamie Roberts, Matt Giteau, Bryan Habana were on for the Barbarians. They might actually make a game of this, I thought. I then had just enough time to check the odds and back the Barbarians before the start whistle.
Setting the tone
At just 4 minutes into the game the All Blacks are awarded a penalty advantage and kicked for an easy 3 points! This, I thought, would surely set the pattern of play for the rest of the game, but an All Blacks fumble gives Drew Mitchell an opportunity that he steals, sprinting for the try line at the far end of the pitch, followed by Habana who takes a neat pass and drops the ball over the line, grinning from ear-to-ear! Giteau kicks a tight conversion and the game is on! All Blacks respond at 24 minutes with a converted try and take the lead by a crucial 3 points.
Hat trick!
At 40 minutes, another All Blacks fumble gives the South African flier Habana the excuse to run two thirds of the pitch unchallenged before they break with the psychological advantage over New Zealand at half time. Whilst the All Blacks maintain possession and kick a further 6 points in the second half, it’s the Barbarians who are monopolising on quick set play when Habana again scores a try to make it his hat trick.
The odds are good
At 76 minutes, Barbarians are defending their 4 point lead just yards from the try line when the All Blacks give away a penalty, just as the NETELLER logo pops up on the hoarding reminding me to check the odds on my live bet. Barbarians kick the 3-pointer sealing their fate.
36 years worth of cheering
The Barbarians beat the All Blacks by 7 clear points, not only breaking their undefeated run on the European tour, but for the first time since 1973!
Bryan Habana takes man of the match and I head out for the Christmas shopping with my Net+ prepaid card and an unexpected windfall!
Did you watch the match? Were you there? What did you think?
Today’s post was written by Daniel. Daniel works for our UK Operations and has close ties with our merchants. He never misses an episode of Top Gear, is rarely far from his camera and loves his rugby.
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