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InternationalNew Zealand

Bridge among trio the Barbarians have added to face All Blacks XV

By Kim Ekin
(Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

Out-of-favour All Blacks winger George Bridge has been added to Scott Robertson’s Barbarians squad to take on an All Blacks XV in London next month. The 27-year-old, who was recently announced as a new Montpellier signing for the 2023/24 Top 14 season in France, was named by the Baa-Baas for the November 13 match at Tottenham along with Camille Chat and Josua Tuisova.

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A statement read: “Barbarian FC have announced three global stars of rugby – George Bridge, Camille Chat and Josua Tuisova – will be joining the squad in London ahead of the Killik Cup against All Blacks XV on Sunday, November 13. The Barbarians are also set to play a number of domestic fixtures following the disruption to the Gallagher Premiership calendar.

“The famous invitational side has appointed Scott Robertson and Ronan O’Gara to lead them for the Killik Cup, with England and Montpellier star Zach Mercer already named in the squad and more players to be announced in the coming days.

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“Joining Mercer in the Barbarians squad are three huge names in the world of rugby: New Zealand’s George Bridge, France’s Camille Chat and Fiji’s Josua Tuisova. Crusader Bridge, who will soon be heading to Mercer’s club Montpellier in France, already has a Barbarians appearance alongside his 18 caps for the All Blacks, turning out against England in 2017.

“Camille Chat joins the squad from French Top 14 side Racing 92 where he has made 144 appearances since joining the side in 2015. The hooker has 33 caps for France and will be making his Barbarians debut.

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“Another power player joining the Barbarians is flying Fijian winger Josua Tuisova. Currently playing for Lyon in the Top 14, Tuisova has 19 caps for Fiji and an Olympic gold medal to his name as part of Fiji’s Olympic 7s winning team at Rio 2016, the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal.”

Head coach Robertson, who coaches Bridge at the Crusaders, said of the Kiwi winger: “He is a hard worker, he is tough and he’s a winner. George is such a good honest man and we can all call him a great mate.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

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AK 13 minutes ago
Scott Robertson reflects on the All Blacks’ Freedom Cup loss to Springboks

108 62 42 4

These are the numbers that matter Ninjin! No, they’re not your Lotto numbers. If the first one is the total of tests played between the ABs and Boks, guess which one is the total of ABs wins??

It must sting to know this will never be reversed…….

51 Go to comments
F
Francisco Roldan 33 minutes ago
'Schmidt will not be forgiven or forgotten if Wallabies suffer Bled-bath'

Los Pumas finally managed to strengthen their game system, at least in the 3 rd and 4 th quarters. We'll see if we can repeat that performance beyond the Wallabies. What's your intuition, Nella...?

162 Go to comments
R
Rob 37 minutes ago
The Wallaby front row can move ahead of the curve in Argentina

This article has one piece of information wrong. Uses Faessler’s playing weight from Australian under 20s when he was training with the Reds a couple of afternoons a week and playing club. He’s a different proposition now. That aside, looking forward to having BPA in the mix.

140 Go to comments
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GH 1 hour ago
All Blacks dared to put 'record on the line' in 'biggest game in 2025'

The will play the bokke at Eden Park next year.


No doubt about that.


Nz will also beat the Boks 2-0 in 2025.

3 Go to comments
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GH 1 hour ago
Jake White: I'm amazed at how naive the All Blacks have become

Easy to say anything you like when your team has just beaten the ABs 2-0.


The Boks are better than the ABs at the moment but not by much.


Playing against a better side away in front of the amazing SA crowds will always put a lot of pressure on teams.


With all the AB weaknesses, the margins of victory were very small.


AB rugby has a history of bouncing back and improving when they have been humbled by an opponent. I expect this will be no different and looking forward to hosting the Boks next year in NZ.

9 Go to comments
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Ed the Duck 1 hour ago
'Can we campaign for the Lions to flip tour and go to South Africa?'

If only aus could reach the lofty heights of ‘average’…!

8 Go to comments
N
NK 1 hour ago
Argentina player ratings vs Australia | The Rugby Championship

Mallia is such a handy, dependable player. You can put whichever double digit number on his shirt and expect the job to be done.

3 Go to comments
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Cam 1 hour ago
Springboks-All Blacks takes: Double banking dishonesty, Fassi the weak link, undercooked selections

Unless Ben Smith's picture belongs to someone else (which is a bit naughty) or just happens to bear an uncanny resemblance to Jamie Wall, who also happens to be a rugby writer, (coincidence you ask?) I'd say the shoe might fit! Have a look at the latest 8-9 Combo rugby episode on YT and you tell me. He appears to be quite fond of the saffas, going by that episode- so I'd wager that under the BS moniker, he is just a troll, rage baiting the Springbok fans for increased RugbyPass/Twatter (or X) etc readership. I do recall there was some online-spat between him and Rassie a while ago on Twatter. I'd not take it personal- that would be like getting upset at Nigel (now what happened to him; did he change his name or something?)

111 Go to comments
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Toaster 1 hour ago
Jake White: I'm amazed at how naive the All Blacks have become

Really good article and spot on

He really loves his rugby Jake and is very respectful and knowledgeable

9 Go to comments
T
Tk 1 hour ago
The All Blacks' backline is to blame for Robertson's unflattering record

FFS people. The ABs losing sucks, absolutely. However we are half a season into a major renewal of players, coaches and systems. However that is not to give them a free pass. Tight 5/ scrum works, yes more depth and experience needed in second row. Loosies are all at sea and really need work. 9 we have 3 young options looking good for future (with roigard included). Backs are a car crash. I've been panned here for saying this before. I loved BB and DMac now I seriously think that this is the problem. BB is like cocaine, OMH it seems so amazing that the bad parts are glossed over. Supreme athlete, amazing ball skills, can score a try for the ages. Should have been a 7's player as he can't drive a test 15 around the park. DMac is BB lite. We desperately need a test 10. Then the centres will come- Nonu and Smith were the best ever, after several years. Will Jordan now seems like a flat track bully but goes missing against top teams.

47 Go to comments
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Cam 1 hour ago
Springboks reclaim Freedom Cup in titanic All Blacks clash

Ben Smiths, alter ego, Jamie Wall was too busy visiting the saffas at home methinks. Watch the latest 8-9 Combo rugby podcast on YT and you'll see why.

266 Go to comments
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MP 2 hours ago
Warren Gatland racing to recruit Exeter's Zack Wimbush for Wales

Sorry Gats, he's good enough to be English.

2 Go to comments
N
Nickers 2 hours ago
The All Blacks' backline is to blame for Robertson's unflattering record

I think the back line was looking close to a finished product by the end of last year, and the same players now looking ordinary is due to subbing out world class backs/attack coach Joe Schmidt and replacing him with Jason Holland and MacDonald - Two middling Super Rugby coaches whose teams got significantly better after they left. For reasons known only to NZR they make the best coaches pitch against each other rather than bringing them together. You can thank them for Tony Brown. It’s crazy to me that neither Schmidt or Brown are involved in the ABs set up despite them being the best in the business and from NZ to boot. Coaches who have only been involved in SR just can’t drive standards like coaches with international experience. Jason Ryan has been the exception, with the ABs losing so much experience and being so injury plagued but still finding parity against England and an admittedly weakened SA pack. We’d had a world class 9 for such a long time I’d forgotten what it was like not to have one, but it sucks. Roigard is one of very few players in a while to come into the team and instantly look at home playing international rugby. He has had a significant knee injury though, I don’t know how long it will take him to get back to 100%. There aren’t currently any more 10s in NZ. Harry Plummer had a strong SR season but it’s early days so he is an unknown. It’s hard to imagine someone who is not one of Barrett, Mounga, or DMac being 10 at the next WC. Jordie is being asked to play a very one dimensional role this year. He was used as the second receiver playmaker a lot last year and was instrumental in unlocking another dimension of our attack. Reiko - I’m the same as you. I don’t think he is excelling or failing. Very strong ball carrier and insanely good cover defender. I think it depends how they want to play. There was a time a couple of years ago you wouldn’t have dreamed Lukanyo Am would be surpassed by Kriel who is the definition of one dimensional - but it suits how SA play. Am can’t do what they ask Kriel to do. Billy Proctor is one of the new young guys on the rise who had a great SR season, easily the best centre in the comp and probably the most likely to find his way in to the ABs team. He is 25. To me it’s obvious Will Jordan and Clarke should be on the wings. Leaving Beauden Barrett at 15 for now but most people would love to see Ruben Love get some time there. Very exciting player who fills that second play maker role, and was one of the two strangest exclusions from this years squad. He is 23. Agree about Telea and Reece. Reece had the season of his life in SR, in a poor team, so it’s weird to see him struggling so much coming off the form of his life but he has struggled at this level consistently. Telea has been so good he deserves more chances. He will be 28 next year which is when ABs wings are discarded. In summary of my rambling comment I think we are using the best players currently available in the backs, they are just in the wrong place at the wrong time doing the wrong thing too often like they were pre - Schmidt. Jordie is only 27, Reiko 27, Jordan 26, McKenzie 29, Clarke 25, Telea 27, Reece 27 - these are not old guys. They’ve been around for a while but time is on their side for the next WC.

47 Go to comments
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Ninjin 2 hours ago
The All Blacks' backline is to blame for Robertson's unflattering record

Why must we be worshiped and why would we want people to do that? We are South Africa and not Nz. You saying not much between the teams is delusional at best and not one Nz player will make a world team not even Savea. You think some of us get bent out of shape because of winning? Maybe you guys are grasping at straws because of all the losing you are doing these days. Watch out for Aus.

47 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 2 hours ago
'We've been spoiled': Angus Ta'avao on current state of the All Blacks

The All Blacks have taken a few steps back, which they haven’t really done since 2004. Maybe a bit of a slow decline under Foster, but the All Blacks haven’t had to rebuild quite like they have to now.


I said it at the beginning of the year, to think Razor would cruise in as some messiah and make miracles happen in his first year was silly.


Neh Ben? And you thought they’d cruise to number two in the world? 💩🕳️


The only real criticism I have of Razor so far has been the lack of new players coming through. Trying to rebuild and win everything has lead to conservative selections. You’re dragging out the “rebuild”.

2 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Springboks omit six of Saturday's starters from squad for Argentina

I’m surprised Cameron Hanekom hasn’t been called up. I guess it’s November for him then!

5 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: I'm amazed at how naive the All Blacks have become

How’s preparations for the UrC going Jake? Do you have time to share your campfire stories?

9 Go to comments
E
Ed Pye 3 hours ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Springboks | The Rugby Championship

That's a weird take as we don't play those teams so we're not exposed to their style of play or strengths. Our insular competitions mean we only get stronger at our own style... That's the same right down the line

133 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Use of the bench hanging over the All Blacks coaches after Cape Town

I wager that Mounga will be back sooner than expected. Unless someone grows a pair and selects someone new at 10, 12, 13 and 15. Lacking exciting playmakers. Your pack has done well, despite the bench, to give you ample attacking opportunity and it’s not being taken advantage of by your current crop.

22 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Use of the bench hanging over the All Blacks coaches after Cape Town

And I assume many of these in form players would be new to the AB fold?


I think with the last two Wallaby tests being inconsequential to your RC campaign, take some risks and bring in some fresh talent in your backline. Bulls some depth at 10, 12, 13 and 15. Your pack is good.

22 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ 'Schmidt will not be forgiven or forgotten if Wallabies suffer Bled-bath' 'Schmidt will not be forgiven or forgotten if Wallabies suffer Bled-bath'
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