All Blacks XV v Barbarians: 18-test All Black Brad Weber responds to haka in return from injury

The only Kiwi named in the Barbarians squad to take on the All Blacks XV in Brentford, it was always going to be a memorable comeback for Brad Weber.

Just under nine months ago, the 18-test All Blacks halfback had his sophomore campaign in France shortened due to injury. Playing for his French club Stade Francais in the Top 14, Weber’s ankle was dislocated after he dived to make a tackle and was subsequently stuck at the bottom of a ruck.

On Sunday morning, he was back in action and, as the All Blacks XV performed their pre-match haka, the 34-year-old, who also made nine appearances for the Māori All Blacks, responded in kind.

As the rest of the Barbarians stood in a line, Weber stepped forward and laid down a challenge of his own to the New Zealand side.

Weber was named on the bench for the match in a Barbarians side largely made up of South Africans, squaring off against a host of familiar faces.

The Barbarians got off to a flying start, taking the lead just two minutes into the contest through tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye.

No 8 Evan Roos added to the lead around the 20-minute mark, before a try to hooker Bongi Mbonambi saw them take a 19-0 lead after the 27th minute.

Those were the last points the Barbarians scored.

After a try through right winger Caleb Tangitau just before halftime got the All Blacks XV on the scoreboard, they found their form after the break.

Tries to halfbacks Xavier Roe and Kyle Preston, second five-eighths David Havili and a second to Tangitau in the second half saw them claim a 33-19 win.

The clash was the first of the All Blacks XV’s tour, which will see them play England A next weekend in Bath, before a match against Uruguay at Stade Raoul Barrière in Béziers, France, the week after.

All Blacks XV 33 (Caleb Tangitau 2, Xavier Roe, Kyle Preston, David Havili tries; Josh Jacomb 4 cons)

Barbarians 19 (Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Evan Roos, Bongi Mbonambi tries; Robert du Preez 2 cons)

HT: Barbarians 19-7