New Zealand is crushed by South Africa. S. Barrett is absent against France’s XV?

Aurelien Cano, Media365 Posted on Friday, August 25, 2023 at 10:58 p.m.

On Friday evening, at Twickenham Stadium, two weeks before the start of the World Cup, New Zealand suffered its exemplary team the harshest defeat in its history (35-7), against South Africa, the defending champion. To make matters worse, the sacked Scott Barrett could miss the World Cup match against the Blues.

Two weeks before the World Cup kicks off in France, New Zealand is worried. On Friday evening, the All Blacks played their final World Cup warm-up match against South Africa at Twickenham. Without realizing that this large-scale rehearsal would result in the heaviest defeat in New Zealand selection history. The All Blacks had already suffered a crushing setback (35-7) to the world champions who did not field an XV, unlike New Zealand, who took the field at kick-off with a line-up perhaps very close to the one that should challenge France's XV. On September 8 at Stade de France during the opening match. Scott Barrett was part of the All Blacks side that were humiliated on Friday by the Springboks. On the other hand, the second row was unable to be present in the opening match against the Blues. For the second yellow card of this match, two minutes before half-time, Barrett was in fact sent off. And his gesture – a shoulder-first attack on hooker Malcolm Marks – could lead to a suspension, as would the one that would deny Englanders Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola, who were also penalized for dangerous tackles.

A dark evening all the way for all blacks

An absolutely nightmarish evening for Ian Foster and his men knowing that pillar Tyrell Lomax left the field in the first half injured (knee) and that Brodie Retallick, one of Scott Barrett's potential replacements in case he misses out against the French, is currently unavailable. And what about the five tries that New Zealand conceded in this match, which only managed to salvage honor thanks to Roegaard ten minutes before the end of normal time? Before the All Blacks salvaged the honour, South Africa enjoyed themselves, with Kolisi, Arendse (in the first half), then Marks, Mbonambi and finally Smith coming on to reward the holders' clear dominance. An evening to remember for the All Blacks, but one that may nonetheless leave its mark.