The Baabaas did what several international teams have failed to do since 2003 and beat the Maori All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday night.
The Maori proved again that they are not a first half side, but they left themselves with too much to do, as the NZ Barbarians inflicted their first home defeat in 12 years.
On just four days' preparation, the Barbarians produced a committed and largely accurate display by some sharp talent which would not have escaped the notice of the All Black selectors.
Both sides, to their credit, tried to play as much rugby as the filthy, wet conditions permitted.
The Maori, though could not get out of their half in the early stages, and men such as Highlanders veteran Alex Ainley and Luke Whitelock played above themselves for the Barbarians.
The Maori were often messy, and they did not clean out as efficiently as the men in scarlet, while getting chopped down often behind the tackle line. Openside flanker Blake Gibson made a nuisance of himself at the breakdown.
The Barbarians ripped into their work, controlling all the early field position. They crossed the line twice in the opening 15 minutes but were denied each time by the third official.
Gibson then made a beeline for the tryline, leaving Maori fullback Damian McKenzie in his wake. When Barbarians halfback Mitch Drummond dived over to make it 15-3, the alarm bells were ringing loud and clear in the Maori camp.
Several fringe All Blacks prospects in the Barbarians enhanced their credentials, notably captain Brad Shields.
Tom Taylor was tidy at first five, while Gibson is one for the near future. Winger Cory Jane did not see a lot of ball, but was safe aerially and seemed to be running freely until he limped off early in the second half with an ankle problem.
Damian McKenzie was sparky as ever but ran into trouble on occasion. As in Suva, he hit back with a try, aided and abetted by a nice long ball from his brother Marty.
But the young fullback's defence was exposed on at least two occasions, notably by Baabaas centre Seta Tamanivalu, who scored an extraordinary solo try from 35m out, in shades of his 2014 Taranaki form.
McKenzie did make a try saving tackle on Moala, but to no avail. Taylor iced it with a try from a super Richard Buckman offload.
By Campbell Burnes.
Baabaas v Maori
The scores
NZ Barbarians 34
Blake Gibson, Mitchell Drummond, Seta Tamanivalu, Patrick Osborne, Tom Taylor tries; Taylor 3 con, pen
Maori All Blacks 17
Damian McKenzie, Codey Rei tries; Marty McKenzie con, pen, Otere Black con
Halftime: Barbarians 15-3.
