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Deans slams England's Barbarians snub: 'an opportunity missed'

The Barbarian facing the Haka last year.

Robbie Deans feels England’s players could have benefited from playing for the Barbarians against New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.

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There were no players from the northern hemisphere in the squad for the match against the All Blacks, who rallied from 17-10 down at half-time to run out 31-22 winners.

England will host the world champions at the same venue in November 2018 and could face Steve Hansen’s powerhouse team in the knockout stages of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

With that in mind, former Australia coach Deans feels some of Eddie Jones’ players should have committed to appearing for the invitational side during a break in the Premiership season.

“It’s a great shame for those England players and it was a great opportunity for them to experience the level,” Deans told a news conference after the match.

“So it’s been an opportunity missed because some of those 23 could have had a taste of this.

“They were all pretty much positive early, but when it comes down to it they get into the season, injuries pick up and internationals loom, things can change.

“The initial positivity was replaced by a little resistance. The players felt a little bit of pressure that they might compromise themselves if they stepped into that.

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“A player is always going to listen to his international coach in that circumstance, but to a man they all wanted to do it.”

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Another 9 hours ago
Razor's 2024 All Blacks Christmas wish list

"It seems like the idea of Ardie Savea moving to openside flanker is no longer on the table"


Says who? Savea was picked on the open side, with Wallace Sititi at 8, against France. It makes no difference to Savea’s game, whatsoever and allows Sititi to play in his preferred position. It also provides an option to bring in a third loose forward that may provide a better lineout option and a big body to compete with some of the big bodies found in other teams.


It was unfortunate that Finau was injured so early on against France before he had a chance to show how he might combine with Savea and Sititi, and there is still a possibility that Hoskins Sotutu might be effective alongside them too.


Don’t count out viable options.

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