Brilliant Kwagga shows his class
Kwagga Smith put in a magnificent display for the Barbarians against the mighty All Blacks at Twickenham on Saturday.
Even though the All Blacks won the exciting encounter by 31-22, it was the Lions loose forward who stole the show at the home of rugby.
Smith was simply outstanding for the Baabaas as a tearaway openside flanker.
The Blitsbok star was not only a menace at the breakdowns, but he defended like a trojan. However, it was his ability to effect turnovers, his creativity as well as his blistering pace on attack against the best rugby team on the planet, which impressed the most.
It, therefore, came as no surprise when he rewarded for his exceptional showing by being named the man of the match.
It was an accolade he thoroughly deserved even though his side didn’t win the game.
After this scintillating performance by the dynamic Smith against the current world champions. there should no doubt that he deserves to be in the Springbok mix.
However, it is well documented that South African coaches has a stubborn infatuation with size.
And because of this archaic mindset, it is indeed sad that a player with serious X-factor like Smith won’t come close to a Bok side.
Scorers
Barbarians
Tries: Richard Mo’unga, George Bridge (2), Sam Carter
Conversions: Mo’unga
New Zealand
Tries: TJ Perenara, Vaea Fifita, Ngani Laumape, Sam Cane, Nathan Harris
Conversions: Beauden Barrett (3)
Teams
Barbarians
15 George Bridge (Crusaders), 14 Julian Savea (Hurricanes & New Zealand), 13 Richard Buckman (Highlanders), 12 Harold Vorster (Lions), 11 Vince Aso (Hurricanes), 10 Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), 9 Andy Ellis (Kobelco Steelers & New Zealand, captain), 8 Luke Whitelock (Highlanders & New Zealand, vice-captain), 7 Kwagga Smith (Lions), 6 Steven Luatua (Bristol & New Zealand), 5 Dominic Bird (Chiefs & New Zealand), 4 Sam Carter (Brumbies & Australia), 3 Atu Moli (Chiefs), 2 Adriaan Strauss (Bulls & South Africa), 1 Jacques van Rooyen (Lions)
Substitutes: 16 Akker van der Merwe (Sharks),17 Ben Franks (London Irish & New Zealand), 18 Ruan Smith (Toyota Verblitz), 19 Willie Britz (Sunwolves), 20 Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester), 21 Mitchell Drummond (Crusaders), 22 Robert du Preez (Stormers), 23 Dillon Hunt (Highlanders)
New Zealand
15 David Havili, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Seta Tamanivalu, 10 Beauden Barrett (captain), 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Kane Hames
Substitutes: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Matt Duffie
