The rain held off in Oamaru just long enough to allow for an expansive and exciting match between the New Zealand Heartland XV and the New Zealand Barbarians on Saturday.
The Baabaas ran in seven tries to claim a 49-26 win, but the Heartland side fired plenty of shots as well.
The Barbarians wasted no time getting on the board as Mose Mafi burrowed over from close range.
Their lead quickly grew as midfielder Naki Savieti scored two tries in quick succession, the second of which highlighted his power as he charged through multiple tackles to cross the line.
Otago halfback Kieran McClea set up their fourth with a lovely 50-22.
After mounting pressure, Lui Naeata scored.
The Barbarians continued to dominate the first 40 minutes and took a fifth try with them into the break.
It was a classic Barbarians long-range effort. Joshua Gray stepped his defender and drew in another to put Rory Van Vugt in space on the outside.
The Southland Stags fullback linked up with McClea, who in turn found Joe Cooke with enough pace to score.
It may have taken the Heartland side an hour to remove the doughnut from the scoreboard but they finally did so through fullback Renata Roberts-Te Nana.
They gained some momentum and after winning a breakdown penalty, the Barbarians were marched another 10m.
Replacement halfback Leroy Neels saw an opportunity and took the quick tap.
He rushed ahead and passed to Thames Valley team-mate Fletcher Morgan, who gave it right back to the halfback to stroll over for their second.
The Heartland XV found themselves back attacking in the 22m and were hoping to mount a comeback, but the Barbarians turned the ball over and soon they were off to the races.
They shifted it wide to Otago speedster Jeremiah Asi, who sped downfield and drew in the final defender before linking up with North Otago loan player Lucas Casey for the try.
The long-range tries did not stop there.
Asi was put in open space again, this time off a midfield scrum, and stabbed a grubber inside which found Van Vugt for their seventh.
Fighting till the bitter end, the Heartland XV worked their way just short of the line but had the ball ripped free.
The Barbarians fumbled
the ball around in the in-goal and Neels pounced for his second.
The Heartland side got the final try a few minutes later as a beautiful cross kick from South Canterbury’s Sam Briggs found green grass and Morgan was there to scoop it up and score.
Heartland v Barbarians
The scores
Barbarians 49
Naki Savieti 2, Mose Mafi, Lui Naeata, Joe Cooke, Lucas Casey, Rory Van Vugt tries; Byron Smith 5 con, Coby Miln 2 con.
Heartland XV 26
Leroy Neels 2, Renata Roberts-Te Nana, Fletcher Morgan, tries; Sam Briggs 3 con.
Halftime: Barbarians 35-0.
