These people already play each other three or four times a year. So why put us through all this, at Twickenham no less? Why not add an extra match to the Tri-Nations each year - winner plays a combo of the other two sides. Call them The Vandals or The Goths or The Mercenaries. But whatever you call it, admit that the whole episode is just a tawdry attempt to CASH IN. Tradition be damned. The Barbarians are an invented tradition, hijacked by the money men as another excuse to extract cash from an increasingly jaded rugby public. And it has been made increasingly meaningless by the refusal of the all-powerful northern hemisphere clubs to release players.

Let's be honest. Henry ran his dirt trackers because these now repetitive end-of-year tours allow no scope for mid-week games. How else could he try out his second stringers? But was he really trying them out? More likely, brought over this bunch of never-likely-to-play-in-black-again no-hopers just to make up the numbers, to allow his first team a rest after five tests on the trot. This was one game too many and its only purpose was to fill the coffers of the rugby union. I'm surprised they didn't put dollar signs on their jerseys.

As for the second string, it only confirmed what 99 per cent of us already knew. And if we know it, it's a fair bet that Henry, Hansen and Smith know it too. Donald - surely the gawkiest five-eighth ever to wear black - is not up to it. Messam is a glory boy flake who belongs in sevens. Leonard's level is the Super 14 and no higher. Ellison was making up the numbers till all those other injured midfielders come back. Eaton also. Afoa is cannon fodder. Whoever that team was out on Twickenham, they sure as hell weren't the All Blacks.

Well may they say God Save the Queen, for nothing will save these meaningless Barbarian matches.