All Blacks XV rally to beat Barbarians 33-19 at Brentford

The All Blacks XV rallied from a 19-0 deficit to beat the Barbarians 33-19 at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, overturning a bright start from the invitational side in a curtain-raiser to a month of autumn internationals in the English capital.

The Barbarians, captained by Leicester Tigers flanker Hanro Liebenberg and coached by Bristol head coach Pat Lam, opened the scoring through a close-range plunge by prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye. No 8 Evan Roos doubled the lead before hooker Bongi Mbonambi broke from a lineout maul to make it 19-0, with flyhalf Rob du Preez converting two of the tries. The All Blacks XV, led on the day by Jamie Joseph, hit back late in the first half when winger Caleb Tangitau crossed, and the visitors completed the turnaround in the second period with tries from scrumhalf Xavier Roe, a second from Tangitau, replacement Kyle Preston and centre David Havili. Fullback Josh Jacomb converted four times for the New Zealand side.

Seventeen players in the Barbarians matchday 23 were making their first appearances for the club, and the starting XV featured a heavy South African influence with 11 players from that country. Liebenberg led a pack that...